RAW
Alumnus Thonah Ep
To Receive Commonwealth Award
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2009
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For more information contact:
Communications Specialist
781.593.5515 x216
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Please join us in honoring Thonah Ep at
The Commonwealth Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, January 13
1 to 4 pm
(Award Ceremony begins at 2:00)
Massachusetts State House
The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has announced the
winners of the 2009 Commonwealth Awards, the state's highest
honors in the arts, humanities and sciences. Nine awards
will be made, including the award for Creative Learning,
which will go to RAW alumnus Thonah Ep for demonstrating the
importance of creativity and innovation to student
achievement and success.
Thonah arrived in the US from Cambodia in 1991 at the
age of 5. His earliest memories involve learning the
traumatic history of his family and country. His father
drew pictures while his mother provided the painful
words.
 Growing
up in Lynn presented Thonah with many challenges --
including the threat of gang pressure and violence.
Thonah found that the power of art could save him. In
2000 Thonah walked through the doors of Raw Art Works,
where he quickly excelled. Now a graduate, Thonah
teaches at RAW and is the Gallery Coordinator. Many RAW
supporters will know Thonah from his artwork that has
commanded top bids at RAW's annual art auction at the
BASH: Party with a Purpose. Thonah embodies RAW's
mission to ignite the desire to create and the
confidence to succeed.
The MCC has given the Commonwealth Awards biennially
since 1993 to honor individuals and organizations that
have made extraordinary contributions to our
communities, our economy, and the quality of life in our
state. Thonah joins the ranks of past winners including
Yo Yo Ma, author David McCullough, Jacob's Pillow Dance
Festival, Arts Boston, and actress Julie Harris. Raw
Art Works itself was a 2005 recipient in the category of
Community.
The Commonwealth Awards will be presented at a State
House ceremony Tuesday, January 13 from 1-4 p.m. The
2009 Awards ceremony will feature stage and screen
actress Elizabeth Banks, a native of Pittsfield, and
will also honor recent MCC Artist Fellows in all
disciplines. Details and registration information on
the Commonwealth Awards ceremony can be found at
www.massculturalcouncil.org.
About the Massachusetts Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence,
access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and
interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of
life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the
economic vitality of our communities. MCC is committed to
building a central place for arts and culture in the lives
of communities across the Commonwealth. The agency pursues
this mission through a combination of grants, services, and
advocacy for cultural organizations, schools, communities,
and artists. MCC receives an annual appropriation from the
state Legislature and funds from the National Endowment for
the Arts and other sources.
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About Raw Art Works |
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The mission of Raw Art Works is to
ignite the desire to create and the confidence to
 succeed
in underserved youth.
RAW gives youth the tools to create exceptional artwork and
helps them develop life skills through a continuum of over
40 free programs led by artists and art therapists. These
include visual arts groups, a film school, single-gender
groups, mentoring and leadership programs, and a college
preparation program. Over 500 young people attend RAW's
weekly programs and another 860 participate in our outreach
programs.
All artwork by Thonah Ep
Visit our website at
www.rawart.org |
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