The Alabama State Council on the Arts honored Kathryn Tucker Windham of Selma with the Alabama Living Legacy Award recently. Windham was one of eight honored as outstanding Alabamaians during the “Celebration of the Arts” awards ceremony held at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre.

Windham was honored by a performance and story by her friend and neighbor Charlie Lucas. Lucas is a self-taught artist known as the “Tin Man” for sculptures he makes from found scrap metal. His pieces have been showcased in museums and galleries across the nation and in Europe.

Lucas performed jointly with musician Bobby Horton of Birmingham. Horton is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, music historian and seasoned performer.

Others honored during the celebration included Dot Moore, Guntersville, The Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award; Beth Nielsen Chapman, Montgomery/Nashville, Alabama’s Distinguished Artist Award; Dr. Mabry Miller, Huntsville, Governor’s Arts Award; Hugh Williams, Auburn, Governor’s Arts Award; Alvin Sella, Tuscaloosa, Governor’s Arts Award; Ward Swingle, Mobile and France, Governor’s Arts Award and Willie King, Old Memphis, The Alabama Folk Heritage Award (given posthumously).

Prior to the awards program, a private reception was held at Nobles Restaurant for the awards recipients and their special guests. Windham was accompanied by her daughter, Dilcy Hilley, and Betty Ann Lloyd, an independent folklorist.