Provided by ATW
Bristow poetry and prose writer Katherine Gotthardt has received the 2021 Seefeldt Award for Arts Excellence in the category of Outstanding Individual Artist. With nine books published, one of them an Amazon #1 new release and another a Nonfiction Author’s Association Silver Award winner, Gotthardt was recognized for her contributions to the literary arts and the community. A founding member and the current president of Write by the Rails, the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club, Gotthardt has invested significant hours over the past decade to support emerging writers while donating to area non-profits and charitable initiatives through sales of her books.
The Kathleen K. Seefeldt Award for Arts Excellence was established by the Prince William County Arts Council to recognize and celebrate the artists, arts organizations, volunteers, educators and businesses that build upon and sustain Seefeldt’s legacy of public service and support for the cultural arts. On May 27, 2021 the Prince William Arts Council released a video of the full program featuring area performing arts groups, award recipients in all categories and a message from Seefeldt. The production is available on the Council’s website and on YouTube.
Local business owner and publisher of Prince William Living and Brides and Weddings magazines Rebecca Barnes was among those who nominated Gotthardt for the award. “For years, I watched how Katherine gave back to the community and felt recognition of her time and talents were long overdue,” she said. “I am extremely pleased to see she received this award.”
Gotthardt serves as a freelance writer and Social Media Director for Prince William Living. “I’m so grateful to Rebecca and all who have taken the time to support my creative work,” Gotthardt said. “The Seefeldt Awards have a reputation for being among the most prestigious arts awards in the area, and I’m humbled to be a recipient.”
Gotthardt has won several other notable awards, some for individual poems, others for her books and volunteerism. “The Prince William County arts community is thriving,” she said. “It’s gratifying that writers are acknowledged as integral to that community. And it’s inspiring to see all these artists and performers doing what they do best – creating, expressing and sharing.”
More information on Gotthardt’s work and giving back initiatives can be found at www.KatherineGotthardt.com.
