Greater Learning Foundation honored

Thermopolis and Hot Springs County people should be bursting with pride at the honors accorded to the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation at Gov. Matt Mead’s Arts Awards Gala Friday night.

In front of hundreds of people in attendance, the Foundation and five individual Wyoming artists received their 2015 Governor’s Arts Awards.

The Thermopolis portion of the ceremony featured a video prepared by the state that showed just a few of the many events and activities the Foundation sponsors for people of all ages at sites ranging from the post office, hospital and Gottsche, senior center and businesses to the schools.

Regrettably, Foundation director Ellen Sue Blakey was unable to attend. However, Toddi Darlington and Jackie Wright did an incredible job explaining how the award was the result of many people working together to reap the benefits that art of all types can bring to a community. 

Gov. Mead then presented the large framed award to the pair, who returned to the tables where the Thermopolis delegation was seated. Others representing the Foundation, Smoking Waters Art Guild and Thermopolis Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce were newly elected Foundation chairman Howie Samuelson and his wife Suzanne, Michael Wright, Al Darlington, Meri Ann Rush and Peggy and Jim Kirsch. 

Before and after the banquet, artists, community representatives and legislators from around Wyoming approached the Thermopolis group to learn more about the programs and admire the architect’s rendition of the Foundation’s dream, an arts center at the entrance to Hot Springs State Park. 

It will be interesting to see where in Thermopolis the Governor’s Award is exhibited. Watch for it; you’ll be impressed. 

Pat Schmidt