Space was a little tight for the 450 people who attended the 1998 Governor's Awards for the Arts Luncheon April 1. The lack of elbow room was encouraging evidence of the enthusiasm for the annual tribute to Ohio legislators, organizations and individuals who are committed to building Ohio through the arts.

"The Governor's Awards has sold out every year since 1994," said Wayne Lawson, OAC executive director. "Because we continue to pursue ways to increase exposure for Arts Advocacy Day and the awards luncheon, and to accommodate the growing demand for seats, we have decided to move the 1999 Governor's Awards to a larger space.Next year we will be able to accommodate everyone we had to put on a waiting list this year."

The Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation sponsor the annual event. This year the 10 honorees in seven categories received photographs by Elise Mitchell Sanford of Athens, an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship recipient.

Masterworks by 20th Century African American Artists, on view at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery in Columbus through June 13, explores the complexity and diversity of African American art.

Curated by Timothy C. Keny, director of the Keny Galleries in Columbus, the exhibition features the work of 12 of the greatest African American artists of our time including Benny Andrews, Romare Bearden, Ralph Bell, William Hawkins, Jacob Lawrence, John B. Murry, Elijah Pierce, Horace Pippin, Mary Tillman Smith, Alma Thomas, Robert Thompson and Bill Traylor.

Visitors to the Masterworks exhibition will gain a sense of the history and faith in the future that inspired these talented artists. They brought to their work a practical knowledge of the world around them and a unique perspective gained from the struggles and victories of everyday life. Many of these works refer to experiences and feelings ranging from cultural repression to pride, reward, love, hope and, most importantly, faith.

"These artists are pioneers whose work, sacrifices and strong faith in the future laid a firm foundation on which today's African American artists continue to build," Keny said.

The Riffe Gallery showcases the work of Ohio's artists and curators and the collections of the state's museums and galleries. The gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center across from the Statehouse on High Street in Downtown Columbus. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Admission is free. For information or to schedule a tour call the gallery at 614/ 644-9624.