Gene Dougherty receives Governor’s Arts Award

Tonkawa artist Gene Dougherty received the Governor’s Award from the Oklahoma Arts Council Dec. 2 during the 40th Annual Governor Arts Awards.

He was one of 12 individuals and eight organizations honored for their contributions to the arts in Oklahoma.

Gov. Mary Fallin presented the awards during a special ceremony in the fourth-floor rotunda at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The event featured performances by state Musical Ambassador and renowned violinist Kyle Dillingham, and Grammy-nominated "Queen of Rockabilly" and 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Wanda Jackson, also an Oklahoman.

Ed Ruscha, world-renowned artist and noted pioneer of the Pop art movement, was designated the 12th Oklahoma Cultural Treasure by Fallin at the awards.

Ruscha was the first Oklahoma Cultural Treasure designated since John Hope Franklin in 2004.

Dougherty was selected from nominations by members of the Governor’s Arts Awards Selection Committee.