Ella Fitzgerald, Dr. Hammer Given National Medals of Art

President Reagan, declaring that the arts are “reflections of freedom’s light,” presented seven artists and four arts patrons with the National Medal of Art on Thursday at a White House luncheon.

“Our honorees are truly leaders in writing the history of American freedom,” Reagan said. “The arts and humanities teach us who we are and who we can be. They are a foundation to reach out to other cultures.”

Singer Ella Fitzgerald, philanthropist Dr. Armand Hammer and America’s first poet laureate, Robert Penn Warren, were among those honored by the President, who initially suggested creating the award and presented it for the first time in 1985.

Other recipients Thursday were painter Romare Bearden, opera patron J. W. Fisher, art patrons Sydney and Frances Lewis, writer Howard Nemerov, Los Angeles-born sculptor Isamu Noguchi, choreographer Alwin Nikolais and composer William Schuman.

The 89-year-old Hammer could not attend the White House awards ceremony or Sunday’s planned gala performance at Ford’s Theatre. Hammer remained home in Los Angeles with a cracked rib, suffered last Monday in a fall from his bathtub.

First Lady Nancy Reagan, who participated in the ceremony, stumbled over some words as she read aloud the names of the recipients, some of which are difficult to pronounce. “I seem to be having trouble with my words,” she said.

But spokeswoman Wendy Weber said the First Lady was just tongue-tied, adding: “She is not under any medication. She’s feeling fine.”