Contact:
Myrna George
President
South County Tourism Council
4808 Tower Hill Road, Suite 101
Wakefield, RI 02879
mgeorge@southcountyri.com
Courthouse Center for the Arts receives South County Regional Tourism Award
The Courthouse Center for the Arts was the recipient of the South County Tourism Council�s �Tourism Works for Rhode Island� Award for 2010.
SCTC President Myrna George presented the award at the 25th Annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon on May 12.
�The Courthouse Center for the Arts has become a rich backdrop for the many multifaceted programs that are now offered to the community � including theater, art classes, exhibits, dance, concerts, operas and film,� George said. �This is a thriving cultural arts center which provides some 45 programs and events in the visual and performing arts to more than 16,000 adults and children during 2009.�
Center Executive Director Russell Maitland accepted the award. George also noted that the Center has received awards and recognition from Nickelodeon, the Providence Phoenix and Rhode Island Monthly for their diverse arts programs, performing arts and film series.
The historic building that houses the Center served as the Washington County Courthouse for nearly 100 years. In 1988 it was deeded to the State of Rhode Island for $1 with the promise to renovate and maintain the structure as a center for the arts. The structure, designed by Leslie P. Langworthy, is now listed as one of Rhode Island�s top 10 historic sites in South County.
Maitland, executive director of the Courthouse Center for the Arts, has a varied background, from working on Wall Street to dancing with the Joffrey Ballet. His energetic leadership and innovative programming in both the performing and visual arts has brought statewide and national attention to South County.
The South County Tourism Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich, and Westerly as a leisure travel destination.� For more information, please visit www.southcountyri.com.�
