WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) announced today that East Central University (ECU) in Ada has been awarded a $15,000 grant to support a touring exhibition featuring the work of American artist Leon Polk Smith. Smith is a graduate of ECU. The grant has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
"East Central University has the proud distinction of being an educational and cultural hub for Pontotoc County and surrounding areas," Congressman Cole said. "Now with this funding East Central will be able to share the artwork of one of their former students with other schools across the country. I am pleased that this grant has been awarded to East Central so they can put together an exceptional touring exhibition that highlights the talent of this Oklahoma artist."
The grant was provided to support a touring exhibition of work from Smith, an artist who graduated from ECU in 1934. His works are praised for their simple mastery of color and shape and are generally labeled mid-century abstractionist. The university has over 47 pieces of art that will be included in the exhibition. The works of art will be restored and reframed before touring next year at universities and colleges across the United States.
This NEA award is part of their American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius initiative, a program that has supported hundreds of projects nationwide with the goal of providing opportunities for individuals to learn about America's greatest works of art. The American Masterpieces grants are available nationwide to projects that promote and preserve American dance, music, literature and art. For more information about the NEA please visit www.arts.gov.
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