Louisville, Kentucky--The Friends of the Waterfront (FOTW), a
non-profit auxiliary arm of the Waterfront Development Corporation, will host their 17th annual Silver Anchor Award Celebration on Thursday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m. at the Frazier Arms Museum (829 W. Main St.). FOTW will honor State Senator Dan Kelly for his work on the Lincoln Memorial in Waterfront Park, and Marlene Grissom for over 20 years of commitment to the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation
and development of Waterfront Park.
Senator Kelly introduced the idea of a Lincoln Memorial in the park over 5 years ago as part of the State's Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. His idea grew from a simple sculpture to an entire section of the park's
third phase. The Memorial's 2.5 acre site honors Lincoln's connection to Kentucky and demonstrates his abhorrence to slavery which he realized as a young man while standing on the banks of the Ohio River in
Louisville. The Memorial will include a two-times life size statue of Lincoln seated on a rock, looking out over the Ohio River. Four bas reliefs will tell of four different stages of Lincoln's life and experiences in Kentucky. Nationally renowned local artist Ed Hamilton is sculpting both pieces.
Marlene Grissom has dedicated more than two decades to the development of Louisville Waterfront Park, which would not exist as it does today were it not for her efforts. She has helped raise millions of dollars from the private sector toward construction of the park, in addition to shepherding countless art projects in and around the park. Among the
list of her accomplishments includes placement of the "Gracehoper" sculpture by Tony Smith, "Tetra" by Charles O Perry, a sculpture dedicated to Sara Shallenberger Brown by her grandchildren and the "Flock of Finns" that were created by the late folk artist Marvin Finn. Her efforts have also extended beyond the park to include the
revitalization of the Waterfront Neighborhood. Primary in these efforts was her fundraising expertise that brought about the Louisville Ballet Building and the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft.
The Silver Anchor Award reception begins at 5:30pm and will feature music by the Todd Hildreth Trio, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a silent auction. The awards ceremony will begin at 6:15pm. Tickets are $75 ($50 is tax deductible), and proceeds benefit Friends of the Waterfront
programs (more info on FOTW programs www.friendsofthewaterfront.com
Special thanks to Aegon, Beechmont Press, Brown-Forman, Better Quality Business Systems, Bluegrass Brewing Company, Current Marketing, Digiprint, Glassworks, Louisville.com, Louisville Magazine, Louisville Public Media, Masterson's Catering, MPI, Today's Woman, Tumbleweed and USA Image for their sponsorship of Friends of the Waterfront and the Silver Anchor Awards Reception.
