Lawton Cultural Award Program
Outstanding contributors to the cultural life of the community are award-worthy.
Information for the 2019 Lawton Cultural Awards
Lawton Cultural Award Program
Since 1971, the City of Lawton and the Lawton Arts & Humanities Council recognizes those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural life of our community. This recognition is given in the form of six award categories.
The six nominee categories are:
Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts
Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities
Educator in the Arts
Educator in the Humanities
Business/Organization in the Arts & Humanities
Artist of the Year
Note that recipients of the Lawton Cultural Award cannot be nominated for the same category in a five year period, however, they may be nominated in a different category.
About the program
Roma Delilah Clift Montgomery was born in Hastings, Oklahoma to Goldie and Charles Wirt Clift on June 6, 1905. Her grandfather, James Wilson “Tatta Woo” and grandmother, Tresea (Abel) Wilson “Mamma Woo” homesteaded and farmed near Hastings, Oklahoma. Roma was the oldest of her 3 siblings, Charles, Gwendolyn, and Richard.
Roma and her family moved to Marlow, Oklahoma in 1917 where she met her best friend, Lena Montgomery. Lena would later introduce Roma to her brother, Dolph Montgomery, Roma’s future husband. Roma graduated from Marlow High School at the age of 15 and at the age of 16 enrolled in the Mary Harden Baylor College for Women in Belton, Texas.
She completed her degree in journalism at the age of 20 at the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Following two years working as a journalist for the Norman Transcript, Roma enrolled in the University of Chicago where in 1929 she received her master’s degree in psychology. Roma married Jacob Randolph Montgomery in Marlow, Oklahoma on February 6, 1930 and moved to Lawton in 1931.
During the following decades Roma embarked on a whirlwind of civic activities in many cases founding, leading, or working during the early stages of organization. These included the Lawton Garden Club, the Lawton Community Theater, Lawton Junior Service League, USO, Comanche County Red Cross, Community Concert Association, Campfire Girls, Adult Institute of Discussion, Shakespeare Club, Carnegie Library as well as decade’s long support of Centenary United Methodist Church.
In 1971, she was the first recipient of the Lawton Arts & Humanities Council and the City of Lawton's Cultural Award. Her selfless acts of supporting arts, humanities, artists, educators, and students are legendary. In 2005, the highest honor of the cultural awards, Citizen of the Arts and Citizen of the Humanities were renamed in her honor on her 100th birthday.
Though Roma traveled the world in both mind and body she made Lawton her home; staying in the home she helped design from the time of its construction in 1936 until her death on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013 at the age of 108. Source, Obituary and Memorial Service
LAWTON CULTURAL AWARD WINNERS
1971 to Present
Note that recipients of the Lawton Cultural Award cannot be nominated for same category in five year period, however, they may be nominated in a different category.
In 2007, the Citizen of the Arts and the Citizen of the Humanities was renamed to honor Roma Clift Montgomery (RCM). She was the first recipient of the awards in 1971. This honor was in conjunction of her 100th Birthday.
2019 "One to Six" Art Purchase Winner, Chris Martin (photography); Addam Tate, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Linda Chapman, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Mandee Thomas, Educator in the Arts; Phyllis Young, Educator in the Humanities; KSWO TV 7, Business in the Arts; Sandra Dunn, Artist of the Year.
2018 "One to Six" Art Purchase Winner, Jan Stratton (oil painting); Alberto F. Rivas, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Marla Nauni, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Leslie Brennan, Educator in the Arts; Shailah Red Elk, Artist of the Year; Arvest Bank, Business in the Arts with no nominations for Educator in the Humanities.
2017 "One to Six" Art Purchase Winner, Santos Rubio (macrophotography); Janice and David Bear, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Juanita Pahdopony, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Dereck Griner, Educator in the Arts, David Fennama, Ph.D, Educator in the Humanities; Bobby Creeping Bear, Artist of the Year, and EZ GO, 2017 Business in the Arts.
2016 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Jenny Perry (mosaic), D’esirae Schneider, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Dr. Rosemary Bellino, M.D., Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Sherri Conwell, Educator in the Arts; Marie-Ginette Baillargeon, Ph.D., Educator in the Humanities; Robert Peterson, Artist of the Year; and Gill’s Framing & Photography, Kris & David Gill, Business in the Arts.
2015 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Janie Griffin (silver jewelry), Sandy Hunsucker, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Dr. William Jolly, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Allison Yates, Educator in the Arts; No Nominations in the Educator in the Humanities catagory; Steve Southerland, Artist of the Year; and Craig Riha, Golden Corral, Business in the Arts.
2014 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, John Hernandez (carved gourd w/ woven pine needles); Martha McCartney, RCM Citizen of the Arts; Virginia O'Leary, RCM Citizen of the Humanities; Tom Biggs, Artist of the Year; Kelly Martin, Educator in the Arts; Dr. Terence Freeman, Educator in the Humanities; and Alan Jolly for Southwest Exteriors, Business in the Arts.
2013 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Santos Rubio (macrophotography); Neil West, RCM Citizen of the Arts; Victor & Martha Leary, RCM Citizen of the Humanities; Scott Richard Klein, Educator in the Arts; John C. Morris, Educator in the Humanities; Tim Saupitty, Artist of the Year; and the Southwest Pride Barbershop, Organization in the Arts.
2012 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Myron Beeson (carved/painted ostrich egg relief); Kelly and Teresa Pendergraft RCM Citizen of the Arts; Catherine Caccioppoli, RCM Citizen of the Humanities; Debbie Woods, Educator in the Arts; Tony Allison, Educator in the Humanities; Mandee Thomas, Artist of the Year; and City National Bank, Business in the Arts & Humanities.
2011 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Tom Biggs (watercolor of Old Plantation); Tom & Barbara Bullock with Tom Biggs artwork RCM Citizen of the Arts; Ronda Norrell, RCM Citizen of the Humanities; Greg Hoepfner, Ph.D., Educator in the Arts; Wallace Moore, Sr., Educator in the Humanities; Patrick Hill, Artist of the Year; and Ana Basora Walker & Jay Walker, Business in the Arts & Humanities.
2010 "One To Six” Art Purchase Winner, Patty Ferguson (pottery platters); Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts, Bobbi Matchette; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities, John Hernandez; Educator in the Arts, Janice Bear; Educator in the Humanities, Judy Neale; Artist of the Year, Fran Wehner; Business / Organization in the Arts, Tipton’s fine Jewelry – Mike & Kathy Tipton.
2009 "One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Myron Beeson (wood carved/painted eagle feather in shadow box); Artist of the Year, George Kent; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts, Bill Davenport; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities, Minnette Page; Educator in the Arts, Doris Lambert; 2009 Educator in the Humanities, Dory Thomas; Business in the Arts, EZ GO.
2008 "One To Six” Art Purchase Winner, Cynthia Clay (mixed media); Artist of the Year, Teresa Jensen; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts, Diane Denham; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities, Edward Charles Ellenbrook, Jr Educator in the Humanities, Dr. Vivian Aytes Thomlinson; Educator in the Arts, Edna McMillan; & Business in the Arts, Dan Mullins Nissan.
2007 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Katherine Liontas-Warren (limited edition print of birds), Artist of the Year, Howard Council; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts*, Michael & Lucy Johnson; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities*, Dr. Ralph Blodgett; Educator in the Arts, Jack Hunsucker; Educator in the Humanities Isidra “Chila” Chavez; Business in the Arts Burger King, Patty Neuwirth.
2006 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Katherine Liontas-Warren (lithograph); Dallas Howard, Artist of the Year; Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts, Mark Norman; Educator in the Arts, Linda Chapman; and Bancfirst - Doug Meier, Business in the Arts.
2005 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, Eva Yeahquo-Williams (assemblage in shadow box) Jeff Dixon, Artist; Year; Robbie Gillis, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts; Lucinda Poahway, Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Humanities; Dr. Matt Jenkins, Educator in the Humanities; Kirsten Underwood, Educator in the Arts Rep. Don Armes for Armes Auction, Business in the Arts.
2004 “One to Six” Art Purchase Winner, John Hernandez (carved/painted gourds), Marla Nauni, Artist; Dr. Byron & Doris Aycock, Citizens Arts; Jane Fisher, Citizen Humanities; Charlotte Kealii Thompson, Educator Humanities; Katherine Liontas- Warren, Educator Arts; Martha McCartney, Play Care, Inc. Business.
2003 Troy Hamilton, Artist; Mildred Lee, Citizen Arts; Dr. Lynn Musslewhite, Citizen Humanities; Carolyn Kinslow, Educator Humanities; Park Ridge Professional Center, Business.
2002 Sandra Pokorny, Artist; Ernest Godlove, Citizen Arts; Mary McClure, Citizen Humanities; Scott Rich Richard Klein, Educator Arts; Dr. David Miller, Educator Humanities; Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Business Arts.
2001 Tom Labe’ & Hyunsoon Whang, Artists; Dr. James Brock, Citizen Arts; Towana Spivey, Citizen Humanities; Dr. Virginia Sircy, Educator Arts; Dr. Margaret Kingsley, Educator Humanities; Coca Cola Bottling Company, Business Arts; CU, special award/Arts & Humanities.
2000 James Gardner, Artist; Leslie Powell Foundation, Citizens Arts; Comanche Language & Cultural Preservation, Citizens Humanities; George Stanley, Educator Humanities; Charlie Clark, Educator Arts; SW Medical Center, Business.
1999 Jim Hamilton, Artist; George & Cindy Kent, Citizen Arts; Josephine Wapp, Citizen Humanities; Benson Warren, Educator Arts; Mark Spencer, Educators Humanities; City National Bank, Business.
1998 Patsy Carter, Artist; Kris Gill, Citizen Arts; Eve Sandstrom, Citizen Humanities; Dr. Earl Logan, Educator Arts; Dr. Valree Wynn, Educator Humanities; EZ Go, Business.
1997 Jerry Ponder, Artists; Dr. Charles & Betty Graybill, Citizens Arts; John Paynter, Citizen Humanities; Dr. James Lambert, Educator Arts; Dr. Von Underwood, Educator Humanities; McMahon Foundation, Organization.
1996 Katherine Conwell, Artist; David Sandstrom, Citizen Arts; Forrest Kassanavoid, Memorial Citizen Humanities; Scott Hofmann, Educator/Arts; Barbara Scott, Educator Humanities; Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Business; Doc Tate Nevaquaya, Memorial in Arts & Humanities.
1995 Mary McNayr, Artist; David Smallwood, Citizen Arts; Paul Fisher, Citizen Humanities; Nancy Anderson, Eduator/Arts; Dr. Tom Atwater, Educator Humanities.
1994 Juanita Pahdopony, Artist; Melton P. & Irene Meek, Citizens Arts; David Fennema, Educator; LB&M, Business; Jayne Van Wey, Memorial Arts & Humanities.
1993 Katherine Liontas Warren, Artist; Diane & Ronnie Denham, Citizens Arts; Dr. Sally Soelle, Citizen Humanities; David Pickthorn, Educator; KCCU award Arts & Humanities.
1992 George “Woogie” Watchtaker, Artist; Glenda Pope, Citizen Arts; Marion Donaldson, Citizen Humanities; John Moots, Educator; SW Bell Telephone, Business.
1991 David Gill, Artist; Harry Cameron, Citizen Arts; Susan Diekman, Educator; Martin’s Restaurant, Business; Reuben Brown, Memorial Arts & Humanities.
1990 Sam McMichael, Artist; Dr. Gilbert Gibson, Citizen Arts; Boyd Fisher, Citizen Humanities; Mikel Hill, Educator; Gill’s Framing & Photography, Business.
1989 Jack Bryan, Artist; Paul Cullen, Citizen Arts; Maryruth Prose, Citizen Humanities; Kathryn Hickman, Educator; Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Business.
1988 James Brock, Artist; Hodd Whicker, Citizen Arts; Henry Herzig, Citizen Humanities; Glen Henry, Educator; Cache Rd Liquors & Wines, Business.
1987 Joe Troop, Artist; Beverly Davis, Citizen Arts; Elsie Hamm, Citizen Humanities; Barbara Reskovac, Educator; Chi Chi’s Restaurant, Business.
1986 Sue Burgess, Artist; Howard Kuchta, Citizen/Arts; Whit Ozier, Citizen/Humanities; Gwen Cox, Educator; Lawton Times, Business.
1985 Robert Gartland, Artist; Lois Cullen, Citizen; Goldie Smith, Educator; Citizens Bank, Business.
1984 Irby Darnell, Artist; Wayne & Mary Jo Smith, Citizens; Jack Bryan, Educator; Beulah Jones Realty, Business.
1983 Jane Godlove, Citizen; William Fletcher, Educator; Gibson’s Discount Center, Business.
1982 Sara Richard, Citizen; Jack Bowman, Educator; Storey & Barton, Business.
1981 Jean Hendrick, Citizen; Leslie Howard, Educator: KSWO-TV, Business.
1980 Joy Critz
1979 Mary G Ashlock
1978 Dorothy Carter
1977 Alicia Dix
1976 John Denney
1975 Aulena Gibson
1974 Bill Crawford
1973 Exall English
1972 Nels Harveland
1971 Roma Montgomery
