The Cultural Foundation of Broward named Barbara O’Keefe and the Coral Springs Museum of Art as the winner of the coveted 2009 Moretti Award for Artistic Achievement in cultural excellence.

ArtServe and title sponsor BankAtlantic recently announced the winners of this annual ArtServe Encore Awards program, emceed this year by CBS4/My33 News Reporter Joan Murray, in recognition of those who have shown outstanding dedication and support of the Broward County arts and cultural community.

The winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of judges including: Edith Gooden-Thompson, Chair of the Broward Cultural Council; Chris Tiedje of the Sun-Sentinel; Mark Budwig of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Carey McKearnan of JES Publishing; and Pam Dearden of Gold Coast Jazz Society.

The Moretti Award, given annually by the Cultural Foundation of Broward, recognizes outstanding artistic achievement by an individual or group in any creative discipline of the art. Each year nominations are solicited from the public.

Created in the early 1980s, the award was designed by abstract sculptor Henry E. Moretti.  Mr. Moretti was born and raised in France.  He came from a family of architects and musicians. He studied architecture, city planning and the humanities at the University of Paris.  He continued his education through his travels to England, Central Europe, Greece, Italy and North Africa.  From 1941 to 1951 Mr. Moretti lived in Paris and was in charge of design in the office of the inspector of Historical Monuments.  In 1951 he immigrated to the United States.  After working in New York City as a design consultant for 10 years, he made Fort Lauderdale his home.  In the late 1960s Mr. Moretti delved into the world of art and has received numerous awards, has been exhibited throughout the state of Florida in both one man and group exhibitions.  His work is also part of many public and private collections.