Center theater renamed in honor of Cornelia Dozier Cooper

Dec. 4—Cornelia Dozier Cooper has long been one of Pulaski County's greatest supporters of the arts. What better way, then, to honor her than by putting her name on the stage where so much artistic magic is offered to the public?

On Friday, prior to the annual Nutcracker Ball event held there, The Center for Rural Development announced the dedication of its state-of-the-art 760-seat theater under the new name "Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theatre."

A number of notable individuals attended and spoke about Cooper and her philanthropic efforts, particularly to promote arts in the community; that includes a series of $1,000 grants given out in her name every year to worthy artistic projects.

The naming of the theater came as a surprise to Cooper, who preferred to direct attention away from her own accomplishments to recognize what others have done along with her for the same causes.

"It's quite an honor," she told the Commonwealth Journal. "It's a village; all of us have worked bringing children in (to The Center to see artistic performances) for about 20 years."

Among the speakers was U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers who noted that Cooper — wife of the late Richard Cooper and sister-in-law of the late U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper — has added her own prestige to the highly respected Cooper name in the Lake Cumberland area.

"Cornelia's passionate work has not only lifted local talented artists during their journey, but she has inspired adults and children alike to pursue their dreams and believe in their God-given talent," said Rogers, who was the founder of The Center for Rural Development. "So, we wanted to do something here at The Center for Rural Development that would give lasting recognition to Cornelia's legacy of love for the arts. I'm thrilled that The Center's theater will now be known as the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theater."

The dedication of the theatre was the highlight of the Nutcracker Ball, an annual fundraising gala benefiting Lake Cumberland Performing Arts and grants for thriving artists.

"In naming the theatre after Cornelia Dozier Cooper, we pay tribute to a remarkable individual whose dedication to the arts has been nothing short of inspirational," said Lonnie Lawson, The Center's President and CEO. "Having had the honor to know and work alongside Cornelia, I've witnessed first-hand her profound impact on fostering the arts in our region. Her legacy is not just in the programs she helped establish or the events she's supported, but in the countless lives she touched through her lifetime commitment to the arts."

Lawson told the Commonwealth Journal that as long as The Center has been in Somerset, Cooper has partnered with the facility to support its efforts to bring arts to the community.

"Because of her longstanding legacy in the arts, we just felt like we really wanted to honor her by naming (the theater) for her," he said. Lawson noted the modesty Cooper displayed upon learning of the recognition, but was happy to see that "at the event the other night, she was absolutely thrilled with it. And her family; they were so, so appreciative that we made it happen.

"It was a big deal all the way around," he added. "It was something that we were very, very happy to do, it was something that Congressman Rogers felt strongly about, so it was the right thing to do."

Cooper has served as President and a founding member of Lake Cumberland Performing Arts and was a featured artist for the University of Kentucky Art Museum's "Art in Bloom" annual fundraiser. She was a member of the inaugural Kentucky Arts Council board following the agency's creation in 1965.

For her efforts, Cooper has received a number of honors and recognitions, including the Master Musicians Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and the state's esteemed Milner Award, placing her among other Kentucky luminaries, like former Governor Julian Carroll, author Harriet Simpson-Arnow, writer Jesse Stuart, and activist Wendell Berry.

Cooper's support extends to the Lake Cumberland Children's Theatre Series, Somerset's Master Musicians Festival, and the visual and performing arts programs at Somerset Community College.

"I am deeply honored by The Center for Rural Development's decision to name their theatre after Cornelia Dozier Cooper. Cornelia's commitment to the arts, especially her pivotal role in the School Time Theatre program, has opened the doors of imagination and creativity for countless children in our region. Her dedication has been instrumental in exposing young minds to the wonders of the performing arts, fostering a lifelong appreciation for culture and creativity," said Cecelia Davis Carroll, President of Lake Cumberland Performing Arts. "The naming of the theatre in her honor is not just a tribute to her tireless work but a beacon that will continue to inspire educational and artistic pursuits for generations to come. We are profoundly grateful for Cornelia's contributions and believe that her spirit will continue to resonate within the walls of the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theatre."

Lisa Blakley, President of the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Endowment Fund, said that Cooper isn't just a patron of the arts but rather "the very foundation" upon which the local artistic community has been built.

"Her visionary support and passionate advocacy have been the foundation for our cultural development. Her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have created a legacy that transcends generations, inspiring countless children and adults to engage with and appreciate the arts," said Blakley. "As we celebrate her today, we are reminded that the vibrancy of our artistic landscape owes much to Mrs. Cooper's foresight and generosity. She is more than a benefactor; she is a true cornerstone of the arts in our community."