Beech Tree News Network

 The Butler County Arts Hall of Fame will induct its first honoree on April 18, at the Eva J. Hawes Community Center. A tribute dinner will honor Grady Roger Givens as the first inductee. Givens has a long history of contributing to the art scene to Butler County.

• Founded of the George Dabbs Celebration of the Arts. This event celebrated the life of local photographer George Dabbs and featured a photography contest. It also featured a play “The Magic Belle”, a musical drama, written by Ken Jenkins and, directed by Andy Stahl and Curt Tofteland, which ran for 10 years, first at Morgantown Amphitheater then at Woodbury Park’s and outdoor amphitheater.
• He has lobbied for and penned coverage of the arts in the Butler County Banner assuring they not only covered arts events but also featured articles highlighting local artists past and present.
• He has written several books to include: African American Life in Butler County, A History of Woodbury, and A History of Rochester. In 2013 wrote a history of Mt. Vernon Church for their 200th anniversary. Along with Nancy Richey, he co-authored History of Butler County for Arcadia publishing’s Images of America series.
• Cofounded the Southern Kentucky Photography club which hosted workshops and lead to entries into regional art shows with some winners resulting.
• Helped document the history of Bluegrass in Butler County. He is credited in the award winning documentary film Country Music by director Ken Burns for providing a photo of Arnold Schultz for the film. He is interviewed about Schultz in a documentary created by the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. 
• Served as President of the Green River Museum in Woodbury for 10 years. He was instrumental in the creation of a musical series at the museum known as “Concerts on the Green” which included performances by such persons as John Hartford and the McClean Family Band.
• Procured and organized the remodel of a building for use by the, then newly established, Butler County Arts Guild. That building at 115 West Ohio St. in Morgantown KY, is now the current location of the BCAG’s Gallery.
• He served as President of the BCAG 2018 till 2022. 

The Butler County Arts Guild has gone on to become one of the outstanding local Arts organizations in the state, winning the 2021 Governor’s Awards in the Arts, which recognized the guilds outstanding contributions to the arts in Kentucky.

The Butler County Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to promoting the arts in Butler County, Kentucky.  Givens is the first inductee. The Butler County Hall of Fame is administered by the Butler County Arts Guild and funds raised during this event will go to The Butler County Arts Guild to fund future arts activities.   An exhibit honoring Givens’ accomplishments will be on permanent display at the Butler County Arts Guild Gallery in the near future.  The Butler County Hall of Fame anticipates adding additional inductees to the Hall of Fame in the future.

The sold out event will feature a tribute speech by actor and Butler County resident Andy Stahl, along with musical performeces by pianist Adrianna Vossbrinck and vocalisit Jamey Morgan.