The Blues queen herself has been plugged in and playing at the Jim Lucas Library for weeks as she offers free guitar lessons to beginner and advanced guitar players.

Selby Minner has been teaching others music for years as she followed in her late husband’s footsteps, D.C.

At the first of the year Minner was one of 14 individuals and four organizations honored by the Oklahoma Arts Council for their contribution to the arts during the 45th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award ceremony.

The awards were presented by Governor J. Kevin Stitt during the special ceremony in the fourth-floor rotunda at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The ceremony also included a special tributetoformerlongtime Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Betty Price who passed away in October.

“Throughout history, the power of artistic freedom and expression is evident in every culture of every era,” Governor Stitt said. “In Oklahoma, we value the people who work hard to keep the arts community thriving, and these awards are just one way to show that appreciation.”

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said, “This year’s Governor’s Arts Awards honorees reflect a deep level of commitment to the art seen across our state. Our slate of honorees exemplifies the potential for the arts to impact a broader spectrum of areas and sectors than ever before, increasingly serving the needs of Oklahomans and propelling our state to greater heights in education, economic and workforce development, and quality of life.”

Minner, who was one of four honorees for the Community Service Award, was recognized for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.

A resident of Rentiesville, Minner has worked tirelessly throughout Oklahoma, endeavoring to preserve blues music as a traditional American art form. Not only does she operate the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville where she holds the annual Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival, she also provided music education for the communities around her.

Advanced guitarists from Minner’s library classes were happy to pose with her and celebrate her accomplishments and many expressed their gratitude for all she does to “Keeping the Blues Alive.”