News Release
August 23, 2000

ARTS COUNCIL HONORS BARRY

The Monroe Council of the Arts presented William Barry with its first-ever "Extraordinary Vision and Achievement" award at the Key West Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Wednesday, August 23.

Barry, publisher of the Key West Citizen and CEO of Florida Keys Media Group, was selected for this award by the Arts Council because of his extraordinary support and vision in helping further develop Key West and the Florida Keys as a national and international arts destination.

Arts Council Chair William E. Andersen presented Barry with the award, stating that the arts are becoming a major economic development factor in the Keys. Citing Barry’s long-time support of the arts in Key West and the Florida Keys, Andersen said, "There have been numerous visionary leaders who are building the foundation of the arts as an economic development engine in the Keys. Bill Barry is one of them."

Andersen credited Barry and other business leaders such as Winston Burrell with helping to place arts and culture on the business and economic development agendas of the chambers of commerce and the Tourist Development Council.

As part of his award, Barry is receiving a framed giclee entitled, "Key West Wrecker" by his favorite artist, recently deceased Pulitzer Prize winner, Jeff Mac Nelly.