Celebrating Artistic Excellence

Nova Scotians are invited to celebrate the province's artists and their achievements at the seventh annual Creative Nova Scotia Awards being held Friday, Oct. 26 at the Brewery Market in Halifax.

This year's no-tie event, Art. Awards. Celebration., is presented by the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, and will feature nine art installations that guests can view before the award presentation in the main courtyard.

"Nova Scotia is a place rich in arts and culture. The work of our artists gives us great pride and enhances the communities where we work and live," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra. "Through collecting, preserving and making visual arts accessible, we ensure Nova Scotia's heritage is advanced and enhanced for future generations."

Three distinguished artists have been shortlisted for the prestigious Portia White Prize, presented by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. The prize, valued at $18,000, also lets the winner name an emerging Nova Scotia artist or cultural organization for the Protégé Prize worth $7,000.

The finalists are:

• Thom Fitzgerald, of Halifax, an award-winning filmmaker who has made major contributions to media and performing arts
• Laurie Swim, of Luneburg, is an internationally recognized master in the field of textile art
• Anne Marie Comeau, from Saulnierville, is a choreographer and teacher of Acadian step dance

The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award of $25,000 will also be awarded and the finalists include:

• Susan Leblanc and Ann-Marie Kerr, Halifax, theatre
• Sandra Brownlee, Dartmouth, handmade book exhibit
• Kim Morgan, Halifax, visual art
• Dinuk Wijeratne, Halifax, orchestral arrangement
• Jonathan Otter, Earltown, furniture design

Four finalists will also receive $3,000 each. Information on finalists is available at www.nsmasterworks.ca .

Other awards winners already selected are:

• Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award, supporting the integration of arts and culture into community life: Christmas Island, $10,000
• Prix Grand-Pré Award, recognizing Nova Scotia's creative and interpretive artists reflecting Acadian cultural values: Germaine Comeau, $2,000
• Established Artist Recognition Award, recognizing mid-career, established professional artists: Ami Mackay, Michael Melski, Otis Tomas, Sarah Maloney and Shimon Walt, $5,000 each.

An independent assessment panel of artists selected the Portia White Prize finalists from nominations. The finalists and winners for the Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award and the Established Artist Recognition Awards were selected by independent assessment committees. The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award is selected by an external jury.

Tickets for the event are still available. They are $20 and can be purchased online at www.creativenovascotia.com.