I was quite dismayed by Trinity Rep’s decision to eliminate local and regional recipients of the Pell Awards beginning in 2009. The reason stated by Trinity Rep was to “let the limelight shine on Pell.”

Quoting from a previous Rhode Island State Council on the Arts press release regarding the Rhode Island Pell Awards, “The Pell Awards honor Senator Claiborne Pell and recognize artistic excellence in Rhode Island and the New England region as well as on the national level. Throughout his life, Senator Pell worked to support the arts and provide new opportunities for artists. He sponsored the landmark legislation that established the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities in 1965.”

The intention of the Pell Award was to support artists of merit on local, regional as well as national levels. The selection of artists was based on three criteria and chosen by an independent panel of their peers. The criteria were: their proven excellence in their chosen field, production of work that has advanced their art form, and artistic presence that has contributed to the Rhode Island community.

In no way shape or form does the explanation by Trinity Rep eliminating this prestigious award to local and regional artists “let the limelight shine on Pell.” Indeed, it shames the very essence of Senator Pell’s support of the arts and denigrates his invaluable support of the arts in our state.

DENNY MOERS

Riverside

The writer was a Pell Award recipient in 2003.