Jennifer Lawrence Banner

Jennifer Lawrence Banner

Publication Date: 09-26-2015


For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jeanne Hilt
Director of Marketing
Louisville Downtown Partnership
(502) 614-4122 (Office)

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER JENNIFER LAWRENCE TO RECEIVE LOUISVILLE HOMETOWN HERO BANNER

“JENNIFER’S LOUISVILLE” TO BE UNVEILED AT THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

(September 26, 2015– LOUISVILLE, KY)—Downtown Louisville will be even more beautiful Saturday morning with the unveiling of the new 30’ x 40’ Jennifer Lawrence “Hometown Hero” banner on the west-facing wall of the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. “Jennifer’s Louisville” is the latest banner installation from the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation’s (GLPF) “Louisville’s Hometown Heroes” series. The banners recognize and honor the city’s famous sons, daughters and events.

Recognition of the individuals and groups who sponsor a particular banner has traditionally been extremely limited. Lawrence’s banner is particularly notable, however, as it was funded through a community effort spearheaded by “The Lawrence’s Ladies.” The group of Louisville area school-aged young women created a fundraising site on GoFundMe to raise the money for the Jennifer Lawrence banner because they are proud that she is from Louisville and view her as a true role model. According to then 11-year-old Zoe Kuhn’s initial appeal letter, “She’s already won an Academy Award at a very young age, which means she’s an amazing actress. And, even though she is a big star, she’s very down to earth and not big-headed.”

“I feel so lucky to be born and raised in Louisville,” said Lawrence. “Louisville gave me my perspective and informed my identity in a unique and honest way. I’m grateful for this honor and extremely humbled to join this list. Thank you. Go Cards! ”

When informed of the latest addition to the “Hometown Heroes” banner series, long-time Louisvillians Karen and Gary Lawrence said, “The Lawrence family would like to thank everyone involved in this project. We think it is so cool that the City of Louisville would honor our daughter in this way. Thank you so much.”

Lawrence, a proud Louisville native and University of Louisville Cardinal fan, received an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2012 from her work in Silver Linings Playbook, becoming the second-youngest Best Actress Oscar winner in history. Along with numerous roles in major motion films where she has received countless industry accolades and honors, she has also gained international fame for playing heroine Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games film series. Early in her acting career, she performed in the MeX Theater at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.

“One of the most unifying aspects in the life and health of a community is the pride that it feels for its people and for their accomplishments,” states the GLPF website. Started in 2001, GLPF’s purpose is to build pride within the local community and enhance Louisville’s image. Lawrence joins other Louisville Hometown Heroes including:

  • Muhammad Ali (Installed April 2002) – LG&E Building at Second Street & River Road, facing the Ohio River.
  • Pee Wee Reese (Installed February 2003) – Fetzer Building at 209 East Main Street, headed west from Slugger Field toward the H&B Factory and Museum.
  • Mary T. Meagher (Installed June 2003) – Norton Suburban Hospital Building in St. Matthews, viewable from I-64 East.
  • Ed Hamilton (Installed September 2003) – Glassworks Building at Ninth & Market Streets, facing Ninth Street.
  • Bob Edwards (Installed January 2004) – 624 Baxter Avenue, seen headed north.
  • Streets, viewable from I-65.Pat Day (Installed April 2004) – Second & Broadway viewable from I-65 North/South.
  • Colonel Harlan Sanders (Installed April 2004) – BP Apartment Building at Third and Guthrie
  • Judge Louis Brandeis (Installed May 2004) – Chase Bank Building, best seen headed east on Liberty Street between Fifth and Fourth.
  • Kentucky’s Derby (Installed May 2005) – US Bank Building 5th and Market.
  • Diane Sawyer (Installed September 2005) – Starks Building on Muhammad Ali between Third and Fourth Streets, viewable from I-65 North/South.
  • Bud Hillerich (Installed July 2006) – Heyburn Building at Fourth & Broadway, seen headed west on Broadway.
  • Darrell Griffith (Installed September 2006) – Watterson City Building, along I-264 East at Newburg Road.
  • Paul Hornung (Installed October 2006) – Watterson City Building, along I-264 West at Newburg Road.
  • Tori Murden (Installed May 2007) – Kentucky Exposition Center, facing I-65 South just passed the Crittenden Drive exit.
  • Patrick Henry Hughes (Installed February 2008) – OK Storage Building East Broadway at Barrett.
  • Kleinert & Kutz (Installed May 2009) – Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Building.
  • Phil Simms (Installed August 2009) – Southern High School east wall at Preston Highway.
  • Wendy Whelan (Installed March 2010) – J Graham Brown School corner of 1st and Ali.
  • George Garvin Brown (Installed September 2011) – 122 West Main Street.
  • Denny Crum (Installed February 2012) – Marriott Courtyard across from KFC YUM!
  • Victor Mature (Installed April 2013) – Derby Dental Building on Shelby Street
  • Rudell Stich (Installed May 2013) – 5th Street just north of Ali
  • Tom Bulleit (Installed April 2014) – 3rd and Main Street
  • Will Wolford (Installed May 2014) – Market at 3rd Street
  • Bobby Nichols (Installed August 2014) – Watterson City Building

 

For more information about the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation and the Hometown Heroes, go to: www. louheroes.org.

The Louisville Downtown Partnership is the dynamic organization that drives economic growth in Downtown for the benefit of the entire region, as well as oversees multiple on-street enhancements that help establish Downtown Louisville’s distinctive character and widespread appeal. LDP believes the economic engine of any great city starts with a strong Downtown. For more information visit: www.louisvilledowntown.org or call (502)584-6000.

#Jenniferslouisville

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