The Oklahoma Arts Council honored 11 individuals and eight organizations for their contributions to the arts at the 37th annual Governor's Arts Awards ceremony held Thursday at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Gov. Mary Fallin was joined by Arts Council executive director Kim Baker and Arts Council chairman James Pickel to make the presentations. Governor’s Arts Awards recipients Christian Keesee, chairman of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, at left, Tulsa architect Charles Ward, and University of Central Oklahoma President Don Betz were honored Thursday at the Governor’s Arts Awards presentation at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman “This is a remarkable time to be in Oklahoma and you are making a huge impact on the state through your contributions to the arts,” Fallin told this year's recipients. “You help us tell the story of our culture, our values, our history and our nation.” The Governor's Arts Award, which recognizes longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts, was given to Charles Ward, an architect whose designs include the Gilcrease Museum's special exhibits gallery and the Tulsa Central Library; Christian Keesee, chairman of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund; and Don Betz, president of the University of Central Oklahoma.