Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today awarded artist Jonathan Green the 2019 National Citizen Artist Award. See the one-minute video about Green that was shown during the presentation.

 

Green is an internationally acclaimed and awarded professional artist, considered by art critics and reviewers as one of the nation’s outstanding American artists, a visual master of capturing the positive aspects of American and African-American southern cultures, history, and traditions. Green's use of color and the human figure in rural and urban environments allow him to preserve and share a deep sense of community with the viewer, and how the life challenges of work, love, and belonging are met. His high level of social interest and cultural commitments, as well as his exhibitions, have brought him international recognition in collections throughout North America, Europe, Central and South America, Africa, Japan, and the Caribbean islands. Green’s art has been incorporated into productions of ballet, modern dance, music, opera, theatre, literature, film, fashion clothing, and video documentaries throughout the United States. 

 

Green graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1982. Since then, he has received four honorary doctoral degrees from prestigious universities, and numerous awards for art, social, civic, academic, and cultural contributions. He was appointed in 2017 by Mayor John Mecklenburg with the title of Ambassador for the Arts to the City of Charleston, South Carolina, where he currently resides and paints in his studio. 

 

Green commented, “To me, visual art is a language that mirrors my thoughts about my culture, heritage, customs, and mores. It reflects my sense of time, seasons, family, community, faith, landscapes, values, and love of nature. I generally paint in a representational manner. This is the way I convey my thoughts, especially my deep respect for the dignity others and their relationship to the environment as they pursue the tasks of everyday life.”  

 

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “Visionary artists like Jonathan Green, through social impact and artistic talents transform the world around them to not only inspire, but to encourage others to be better citizens.” 

 

“Every year, The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the exemplary efforts of artists who believe as much as we do that the arts are an integral part our society,” remarked Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Green understands the connection between his art and its positive effect upon society.”

 

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented their 2019 Public Arts Leadership Awards at the mayors’ Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. Utah Governor Gary Herbert received the National Award for State Arts Leadership; Reno, Nevada Mayor Hillary Schieve received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of 100,000 or more; Bloomington, Indiana Mayor John Hamilton received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of fewer than 100,000; and artists Michael L. Bivens, and Kate Raudenbush received the Citizen Artist Award.

 

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Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

 

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