SKYPAC announces creation of Walk of Fame, unveils inaugural class

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKYPAC) announced the creation of the Southern Kentucky Walk of Fame on Wednesday.

According to a media release, the Walk of Fame will be a permanent tribute honoring distinguished individuals and groups with ties to the region who have made significant contributions to the performing and visual arts.

The Walk of Fame, located in the Doris & Robert Burr Family Plaza at SKYPAC, will include custom-designed terrazzo and brass plaques inspired by the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The inaugural class includes:

• Ernest Hogan — Born in Bowling Green in 1865, Hogan was a pioneering African American entertainer, composer and performer whose work helped shape the development of American popular music and musical theater.
• Larnelle Harris — A graduate of WKU, the internationally acclaimed gospel singer and Grammy Award winner has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning decades, becoming one of Christian music’s most recognizable voices.
• John Carpenter — The Bowling Green native is a legendary filmmaker, screenwriter and composer whose influential films, including Halloween, The Thing and Escape from New York, have left an enduring mark on American cinema.
• Annie Potts — Raised in Franklin, Kentucky, the celebrated actress has enjoyed an extensive career in film, television and theater, including memorable performances in Ghostbusters, Designing Women and Young Sheldon.
• New Grass Revival — The groundbreaking progressive bluegrass group, formed in Louisville with important connections to the Bowling Green music scene, revolutionized traditional bluegrass by incorporating elements of rock, jazz and other musical genres.
• Cage the Elephant — Formed in Bowling Green, the Grammy Award-winning rock band has achieved international success, bringing worldwide attention to its Southern Kentucky roots.
• Joe Downing — The internationally recognized artist, born in Monroe County, Kentucky, developed a distinctive artistic style and achieved international acclaim for his paintings and sculptures.

“Southern Kentucky has produced an extraordinary collection of artistic talent whose accomplishments have reached audiences around the world,” said Jeff Reed, President and CEO of SKYPAC. “The Walk of Fame gives us an opportunity to celebrate that legacy, honor those who have helped shape our cultural identity and inspire future generations of artists.”

The SKYPAC plans to unveil the Southern Kentucky Walk of Fame during an inaugural induction ceremony in spring 2027.

For more information, visit www.theskypac.com.