President Barack Obama greets filmmaker George Lucas. Lucas was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his cinematic work. A military aide prepares to hand the medal to the president. (Caleigh Bourgeois/SHFWire)
WASHINGTON – Rarely does one see the creator of “Star Wars,” an opera star and a sportswriter in the same room. What makes it even rarer is when that room is in the White House.
Filmmaker George Lucas, opera diva Renée Flemingand sportswriter Frank Deford were three of 24 recipients of the 2012 National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals.
The medals were awarded Wednesday at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House by President Barack Obama. First lady Michelle Obama attended.
“I remember when I first saw ‘Star Wars.’ There’s a whole generation that thinks special effects always look like they do today. But it used to be you’d see, like the string – on the little model spaceships,” Obama said as chuckles filled the room.
Lucas was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, an award given every year by the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent agency created by Congress.
The National Endowment for the Humanities awards the National Humanities Medals.
Looking around the room, Obama immediately acknowledged the diversity of the winners.
“They come from all across the country, all around the world,” he said.
Author Joan Didion, 78, walked slowly, assisted by a military aide, to the stage to receive her National Humanities Medal.
Didion has received literary praise for her books and essays, including her first nonfiction work, “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” and the more recent memoir, “The Year of Magical Thinking.”
“I’m surprised she hasn’t already gotten this award,” Obama said.
Kay Ryan, former poet laureate of the United States, embraced the president before receiving her award and held onto his hand until their fingertips could no longer touch as she left the stage.
Lucas greeted the president confidently and calmly as applause erupted at the sound of his name.
President Barack Obama awards the National Medal of the Arts to Jenny Bilfield, president of the Washington Performing Arts Society. She accepted the award on behalf of her organization. (Caleigh Bourgeois/SHFWire)
In addition to individuals, one organization was honored. The Washington Performing Arts Society, which provides performances and educational opportunities in Washington, received an arts medal.
In an interview earlier this week, WPAS President Jenny Bilfield said the award carries such distinction because of the prestige of its recipients.
“This is a profound honor in our hometown. The awareness of who’s received it in the past, the distinction that it carries and the expectation that goes with it is very powerful,” she said.
In her third month as president, Bilfield said the award sets the bar high for her to lead WPAS and creates demand for innovative new ideas.
The president said the significance of artists goes beyond entertainment.
“We celebrate people like our honorees here today not just because of their talent, but because they create something new. They create a new space and that becomes a lasting contribution to American life,” Obama said.
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Editor’s note: This article was previously published by The Scripps Howard Foundation Wire.
Great piece. Congratulations Caleigh!