LOUISVILLE, KY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 – The Fund for the Arts recognized community philanthropist Owsley Brown II on Friday, February 15 by naming the addresses from 315-323 West Broadway – which consists of ArtSpace, Hilliard Lyons Hall of Recognition, W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre and the Fifth Third Conference Center – the Owsley Brown II Center for Artistic Excellence.
The recognition was celebrated at the Kentucky Opera President’s Dinner by the Brown family, including wife Christy Brown, daughters Augusta Holland and Brooke Barzun, and son Owsley Brown III. Son-in-laws Gill Holland and Matthew Barzun and niece Virginia Lee were also in attendance to celebrate with Mayor Greg Fischer, Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Lori Meadows and Fund for the Arts board members.
Following the President’s Dinner, the Brown family and Fund for the Arts President & CEO Barbara Sexton Smith celebrated the naming of the Owsley Brown II Center for Artistic Excellence from the stage prior to the performance of the Kentucky Opera’s Don Giovanni.
Christy describes her husband as a “brilliant thinker” with a passion for architecture and history.
Congressman John Yarmuth said, “Nobody took the responsibilities of being a citizen more seriously than Mr. Brown. His generosity and leadership in the fine arts, historic preservation and the quest for world peace set a gold standard for community leadership.”
A plaque outside of the West Broadway building commemorates the lifelong service of Owsley Brown II and reads Owsley Brown II Center.
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Christy Brown, daughters Augusta Holland and Brooke Barzun, and son Owsley Brown III. Son-in-laws Gill Holland and Matthew Barzun and niece Virginia Lee
Christy Brown, daughters Augusta Holland and Brooke Barzun, and son Owsley Brown III. Son-in-laws Gill Holland and Matthew Barzun and niece Virginia Lee with Barbara Sexton Smith and David Calzi
