Newporters Co-Chair 2011 Pell Awards Gala

Founding Trinity Rep Artistic Director Adrian Hall.

The 2011 Pell Awards Gala was held in June at the historic Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston. Honorees included Trinity Repertory Theatre's founding artistic director, Adrian Hall, who received the 2011 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts: stage and screen actress and long-time Steppenwolf Theatre company member Amy Morton who received the 2011 Pell Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts; internationally recognized glass artist Steven Weinberg (2011 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts); and Brown University Professor Lowry Marshall (the inaugural Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts. Three hundred guests attended the gala, which raised almost $180,000 to benefit Trinity Repertory Company.

Steppenwolf Theatre company member Amy Morton, Trinity Rep Artistic

Director Curt Columbus, and founding Trinity Rep Artistic Director Adrian Hall

The event was co-chaired by Robert and Grace Vincent along with Newport's William and Alison Vareika. Mrs. Nuala Pell and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras served as the event's honorary co-chairs

Now in their second decade, the Pell Awards were established to honor Senator Claiborne Pell and recognize artistic excellence in Rhode Island and on the national level. Pell, who passed away in 2009 (see www.newportseen.com/archived-news/the-funeral-of-senator-claiborne-pell/) , worked throughout his career to support the arts and provide new opportunities for artists. He sponsored the landmark legislation that established the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities in 1965, and chaired the Senate Education and Arts subcommittee. He also served a four-year term on the board of Trinity Repertory Company.