Published February 04, 2015
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.
“I want to thank the Monroe Symphony Orchestra for the nomination, Northeast Louisiana
Arts Council for the award, all of my incredible former and current students, and
my VAPA faculty colleagues who make me look so good every day with their unbelievable
talents, teaching, and creativity,” said Long.
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.
“We are so proud and happy that Dr. Long has received such a prestigious award,” said
Dr. Sandra Lemoine, dean of the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences. “Dr. Long
actively and enthusiastically supports the arts on our campus and in the community.”
Long has worked at ULM since 2000. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern
Mississippi.
Homepage photo courtesy Arely Castillo
