Betty Foy Sanders is a legend in the Georgia art world, especially in Statesboro, and the Averitt Center for the Arts just confirmed that status – she was named as the 2015 Legend in the Arts Award Inductee.

The former First Lady of Georgia has led the state in arts creativity and advocacy on many levels. She co-founded the Georgia Arts Council; assisted with the design of the new Governor’s Mansion when her husband, Carl Sanders, was governor; has designed fashionable dresses and hats, gardens and interiors; and is a renowned painter.

Sanders grew up in Statesboro, and although she has spent most her adult years in Atlanta, she still calls Statesboro home.

In 1967, Sanders established the Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Collection, which she continues to curate as it is on permanent display at Georgia Southern University’s Center for Art & Theatre, featuring the works of Georgia artists. Also, the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art at Georgia Southern is named for Sanders.

The public is invited to the Legend in the Arts awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Emma Kelly Theater. First Lady Sandra Deal will attend the ceremony to give the award to Sanders. Statesboro Mayor Jan Moore will introduce First Lady Deal.

Immediately following the award ceremony, there will be a reception in the Main Gallery and an exhibition about Sanders’ lifetime of interest and involvement in the arts in the Legends Gallery, on the second floor of the Averitt Center. The awards ceremony and exhibition are free and open to the public.

“As Statesboro works to build a strong arts culture for generations to come, the Averitt Center for the Arts feels it is important to recognize those artists who have made significant contributions to the arts in the past,” said Tim Chapman, executive director of the Averitt Center.

Sanders will join Emma Kelly, Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley and Delmar Presley as the sixth named Legend. Within the Georgia community, these men and women are known not only for their amazing artistic abilities, but for their contributions to the area’s arts culture.

Since opening in 2004, the Averitt Center has inducted a new member into its Legends Gallery every other year, beginning in 2005 with Emma Kelly.

To be eligible for Legend in the Arts status, an artist must have been born in Statesboro/Bulloch County or resided there for two or more consecutive years. Nominees are evaluated on their level of achievement, which includes the scope of their artistic endeavors, their influence on others and their professional conduct and image.

Following the Sept. 10 induction, a luncheon will be given Friday, Sept. 11 in the Magnolia Room of the Holiday Inn to honor Sanders. If scheduling allows, First Lady Sandra Deal plans to stay for the luncheon.

The luncheon is a fundraiser for the Averitt Center for the Arts’ Capital Campaign to expand classroom space for children’s arts educational programs.

For more information about the Legend of the Arts, or for tickets to the Friday luncheon with Betty Foy Sanders, please call the Averitt Center for the Arts at (912) 212-2787.