© The Wichita Eagle
Sept. 21, 2002
Wichitans Among Art Honorees
Eagle staff reports
Three Wichitans were among those honored with Kansas Governor's Arts Awards at a ceremony Friday night in Kansas City, Kan.
Wayne Bryan, producing director for Music Theatre of Wichita, received the award for outstanding individual performing artist; Ann Garvey was given the award for arts patronage; and Richard Welsbacher was honored for his contribution to arts education. The Governor's Arts Awards are the most prestigious awards given for achievement in the fine arts in Kansas.
Bryan began his acting career more than 30 years ago and has appeared on Broadway and on television. Since heading up Music Theatre of Wichita in 1988, Bryan has overseen the production of more than 70 Broadway-style musicals.
Garvey founded the philanthropic Annie Foundation in 1992. It helps fund performances of the Wichita State University Connoisseur Series, the WSU dance department, the Wichita Asian Association and Prairiefest in Winfield.
Welsbacher, an actor and director, was a professor of theater at WSU for 30 years.
Other recipients were photographer Larry Schwarm of Emporia and jeweler Marjorie Schick of Pittsburg, for individual visual artists; KANU-FM, the public radio station in Lawrence, for arts organization; and Ann Evans, executive director of the new Lawrence Arts Center, for arts advocacy.
The Kansas Arts Commission also awarded its 2002 Distinguished Arts Award to acclaimed actor Ed Asner. Asner, born in Kansas City, Kan., is best known for his portrayal of TV news director Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" from 1970 to 1977.
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