Dr. Derle R. Long, director of the University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), was named the Edmund Williamson Artist of the Year at the 30th Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Council Artworks 2015 Awards ceremony.
The event was held at the Vantage Tower Ballroom in downtown Monroe. Named for the artist credited with bringing art to the masses through his art in public spaces, the Edmund Williamson Award was established in 1993 to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individual artists to the quality of life in northeast Louisiana.
Long was nominated by the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. An independent panel of judges evaluated each nomination and determined the winner. Long received a hand-made, stained glass art piece in recognition of the award.
Nominees are professional artists who have shown excellence in their discipline and have enriched the arts community in Cultural Region 8 through their art form.
Long has worked at ULM since 2000. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi.
