Friday evening Arts For All honored the late Bobbi Matchette for her contributions to the arts in the Lawton Fort Sill Community during their opening ceremony.
Amber Sharples, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council explained the impact that Matchette had on the arts in Lawton Fort Sill.
“You know, when she first took over the Arts For All organization, it really was a granting organization that just gave money to other non-profits in the arts but she really had the different vision, she really saw that Arts For All is an organization to be kind of a binding element and supporting other organizations not through just money but really the infrastructure and supporting one another and the way that they worked together. So she really changed the model on how Arts For All functions in Lawton.”
Arts For All Festival Chair Ronda Norrell remembered Matchette and her impact in the community fondly.
“She was kind of captain of the ship. So, you know we went for her, we bounced things off of her to help make this a success. You know she was very willing to help, she was very willing to support things. You know, we’re carrying on a legacy, I mean 27 years worth of history is amazing to be able to continue with."
Arts For All President Jan Stratton reflected on the emotional memorial for Matchette.
“The dedication was very emotional, unexpectedly emotional because Bobbi’s been gone for a few months now and I thought it would not happen, I thought my emotions might have been you know under control and they kind of were. It was very poignant to me, everything I said I don’t know if you ever knew her, but if you didn’t she was everything I said, everybody that was asked when she died, how would you describe Bobbi? Well, she’s kind, she’s thoughtful, she’s supportive, she’s elegant, she’s a lady, she’s just a wonderful human being.”
Arts For All dedicated the 2023 Arts For All Festival to Matchette.
Lawton Senator John Michael Montgomery was in attendance and issued a legislative citation honoring Bobbi Matchette for all of her work in the arts.
Lawton Mayor Stan Booker was also in attendance and offered remarks.
