The Austin Critics Table has decided on the third group of individuals to be inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. As with the previous honorees, these eight Austinites have made significant contributions to the community over many years, some as artists, some as educators, some as patrons, some as administrators, some as a combination of these, but all as friends of and advocates for the arts. The 2004 class of inductees includes:

Sarah and Ernest Butler, philanthropists (Austin Museum of Art, Blanton Museum of Art, Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin, Austin Lyric Opera, et al.)

Barbara Carson, Ballet Austin founder, dancer, choreographer, educator

Felicity Coltman, Austin Chamber Music Center founder and director, pianist, educator

Chris Cowden, Women & Their Work director

Karen Kuykendall, actor, singer, patron, arts advocate (Cafe Manhattan, Zachary Scott Theatre Center, Austin Shakespeare Festival, Ballet Austin, et al.)

Jim Swift, KXAN-TV reporter

Boyd Vance, founder and director of Pro Arts Collective, actor, director, singer, educator, arts advocate

The new Hall of Famers will be formally – or, to be honest, informally – recognized at the 2003-04 Austin Critics Table Awards ceremony, to be held on Monday, June 7, 7pm, at the Capitol City Comedy Club, 8120 Research.

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