Bill Harley to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at RICH's 2010 Celebration of the Humanities
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The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH) will honor noted historian, antiques dealer, and civic provocateur Richard Kazarian and award-winning singer, songwriter, and storyteller Bill Harley at its eighth annual Celebration of the Humanities, which will be held Monday, October 18, 2010 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket. This year's theme is "A Night of Curiosity," and honorary committee co-chairs are Henry and Peggy Sharpe and Ed and Linda Wood.
The popular social event offers RICH an opportunity to publicly honor its awards recipients while spreading the message of its mission: to inspire and support intellectual curiosity and imagination in all Rhode Islanders through lifelong learning. Each year, the Celebration recognizes the recipients of RICH's Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities and Honorary Chairs' Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities.
Tom Roberts Prize
The Tom Roberts Prize is awarded to an individual or group whose work demonstrates an innovative approach to traditional humanities fields of study, blending the wisdom and methods of the humanities in an inventive, original, and imaginative way, and distinguished by public appeal. This year, the Prize celebrates Richard Kazarian of Pawtucket, selected for bringing together his talents and knowledge as a historian, antiques dealer, and civic provocateur; his ability to inspire people and get them engaged in their community, in history, and in democracy; and his promotion of how history and place matter.
Kazarian's work with art and antiques has been featured in publications like House and Garden, Metropolitan Home, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe. He also was featured on the PBS series "Best in American Design" and in the September 2006 issue of Architectural Digest. Earlier in his career, he taught history at Phillips Exeter Academy and at the University of Rhode Island and has been published in numerous scholarly journals and books. Kazarian is active in his community and serves as executive board member emeritus of the Pawtucket Foundation, chairperson of the Pawtucket Riverfront Commission, and chairperson of the Mayor's Task Force for the Pawtucket River Bridge. He is also a creator of the Gamm Theatre History Project and forthcoming play "Forty Crabs in a Bucket."
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual or group whose career achievements demonstrate humanities excellence, reflect RICH's mission and core values, and enrich public life in Rhode Island. This year, the Award honors Bill Harley, for his use of music, song, and story in building community; promoting our common humanity; and encouraging lifelong learning, exploring, and growing.
Harley is a prolific writer and recording artist as well as a long-time regular commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered." Since 1984 he has released 28 albums, authored eight children's picture books and two novels for gradeschoolers, and worked on multiple theatrical productions. Several of his books have received awards, including The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher and Night of the Spadefoot Toads. His award-winning DVD Yes to Running was featured on PBS, and many of his other albums have been honored for their excellence. Entertainment Weekly labeled Harley, a two-time Grammy Award winner and multiple nominee, "the Mark Twain of contemporary children's music."
In addition to touring and recording, Harley currently is conducting research for a book on the culture of schools and preparing for the September release of his new spoken-word CD, The Best Candy in the Whole World. For a complete list of Harley's work and awards, visit billharley.com.
The Celebration is open to the public; tickets are $75 ($25 for students). Opportunities for sponsorships and program advertisements are available. To reserve tickets, register as a sponsor, or purchase program ad space, call 401-273-2250, visit rihumanities.org, or e-mail kristin@rihumanities.org. Guests are invited to socialize with humanities' friends and supporters; bid on silent and live auction items; savor wines, cheeses, and chocolates; and enjoy live music.
