Two Morehead State University alumni who went on to become notable artists and arts educators have received one of the state's highest honors for their artistic contributions to the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Arts Council announced that Sam McKinney (Class of 1973, 1992) and Wilma Johnson-Bethel (Class of 1971) were among the nine honorees recognized at the 2025 Governor's Awards in the Arts. The various individuals and organizations celebrated by the organization have helped strengthen the state's $6.9 billion arts industry.
McKinney, a Kentucky-born sculptor and painter, received the Artist Award. He has displayed his work both nationally and internationally. In 2022 McKinney created a bronze Eagle statue (titled "Spirit of Aspiration") at his alma mater that has become a landmark and artistic focal point that will serve and inspire the campus community and visitors for generations. The sculpture was made possible by a generous contribution from the Cartee family.
"The Governor's Artist Award recognizes an individual who has had a lifetime of achievement in the arts. Approaching half a century of work, sculptor Sam McKinney has transformed stone, metal, and bronze into enduring reflections of Kentucky's heart and history," said Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Chris Cathers. "Beyond his own remarkable body of work, Sam is a devoted teacher and mentor who has inspired countless young artists to find their voice. His legacy lives not just in his sculptures, but in the lives he's touched."
Wilma Johnson-Bethel received the Education Award. For more than half a century, the Mt. Sterling native has championed arts education in Louisville, shown dedication to creativity and cultural understanding, and inspired generations of students. As an educator and mentor, Johnson-Bethel created programs that integrate the arts into everyday learning and foster connections between classrooms and communities. Her commitment to young artists continues to shape the future of arts education in Kentucky.
Kentucky Arts Council Secretary Lindy Casebier said the Education Award winner is chosen from a large number of nominees who make a significant contribution to arts education each day.
"For more than 50 years, Wilma Johnson-Bethel has taught generations of Kentucky students not just how to make art, but how to see and understand the world around them," Casebier said. "Her philosophy is simple but profound: every person is creative — they just need the tools and encouragement to express it. Her lessons extend far beyond the classroom, instilling discipline, curiosity, and confidence in everyone she teaches."
The Kentucky Arts Council solicits nominations and coordinates award presentations on behalf of the Governor of Kentucky. The Kentucky Arts Council Governor's Awards in the Arts nominations committee, which recommends honorees to the Governor, accepts award nominations annually. Nominations for the 2026 Governor's Awards in the Arts opened in January 2026.
To learn more about the Department of Communications, Media, Art and Design programs, email cmad@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2766.