Province Recognizes Artistic Excellence

The province celebrated achievements by its artists, awarding its most important arts and culture prize at the fifth Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala today, Oct. 29, at Halifax's Pier 21.

Accomplished singer Mary Jane Lamond received the $18,000 Portia White prize in recognition of her efforts to preserve Gaelic culture through song.

"The world has fallen in love with Mary Jane Lamond's unique singing voice and embraced Gaelic song in the process," said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Percy Paris. "She deserves recognition for her talent and the passion she brings to her art."

An independent jury of artists reviewed nominations for the Portia White Prize which promotes excellence, innovation and expression in the arts. The annual gala is hosted by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council.

As this year's winner, Ms. Lamond is able to name a protégé to receive a $7,000 prize. She named arts organization Comunn Féis an Eilein of Christmas Island as her protégé. The organization helps to preserve the Gaelic language through a series of summer music performances that draw visitors to the community.

Nova Scotia's francophone and Acadian cultures were recognized at the gala with a $10,000 Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award to the Municipality of Clare. The community's cultural institutions include Université Sainte-Anne, Festival acadien de Clare, the new TréCarré arts gallery, Conseil des arts de la Baie Sainte-Marie and Rendez-vous de le Baie.

Clare is also home to many creative artists and groups, including theatre company Les Araignées du Boui-Boui, playwright Ryan Doucette, musicians Grand Dérangement and Blou, writer Georgette LeBlanc and visual artists Denise Comeau, Nadine Belliveau and Francois Gaudet.

"Our communities are better places because of the contributions made by Nova Scotia's talented artists," said Mr. Paris. "Creativity encourages new ideas and helps make life better for families in every region."

Five people received Established Artist Recognition awards worth $5,000:

• cellist Norman Adams of Halifax has contributed to performing arts as a member of Symphony Nova Scotia, creator of chamber ensemble Suddenly Listen and his work with Gwen Noah Dance.

• artist, poet, educator and advocate Rose Adams of Halifax was chosen because of her relentless pursuit of excellence, including her contributions as artist in residence at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center’s memory disability clinic.

• Emmy Alcorn of Guysborough is the artistic director of Mulgrave Road Theatre and has encouraged appreciation for arts and culture through her work in theatre and the development of the Chedabucto Place Performance Center.

• artist Cathy Busby of Halifax is renowned for her representational pieces which are featured in collections across Canada and around the world.

• painter and educator Drew Klassen of Halifax has taught drawing at Dalhousie University's school of architecture and painting at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and his work is prized for its depiction of landscapes.

The Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council, in consultation with the arts and culture sector, provides advice and recommendations to guide the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage regarding ongoing investment in Nova Scotia's artists, cultural industries and cultural activities.

More information about the province's arts and culture awards and prizes is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/culture_prizes.asp .