Excellence in Arts and Culture Celebrated with Awards

Nova Scotia's arts and culture community gathered to celebrate excellence at the Creative Nova Scotia Conference and Awards Gala held Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Delta Halifax Hotel and Pier 21 in Halifax.

The Portia White Prize, Prix Grand-Pré, and several other awards were presented at the event, hosted by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council.

"This is an exciting and challenging time to be involved with arts and culture in Nova Scotia," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks. "We continue to work with the council and our local, regional and national partners to build a solid foundation for growth in the sector."

"This is a key way to promote discussion and development within Nova Scotia's arts and culture community," said council chair Paul Gallant. "It reminds us of the important role that artistic and cultural expression plays in the life of our province."

The highlight of the awards gala was the Portia White Prize, one of Canada's most prestigious arts awards. The $25,000 annual award, named after Nova Scotian classical singer Portia White, recognizes an individual who promotes excellence, innovation and expression in the arts.

Mr. Dooks presented the award on behalf of Premier Rodney MacDonald to Walter Ostrom, a noted ceramics artist and crafts person from Lunenburg. Mr. Ostrom is internationally renowned for a 40-year career of commitment to his craft and educating a new generation of fine craft artists.

"Walter has elevated craft beyond the simple understanding of structural design and artistic appeal," said Mr. Dooks. "His vast body of work has earned him regard from peers and collectors alike."

The Portia White Prize has two components. An $18,000 award is presented to an accomplished artist, born or having lived in Nova Scotia for at least the past four years. The recipient is also invited to name an emerging Nova Scotian artist or cultural organization as a protégé to receive $7,000.

Mr. Ostrom named the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design as his protégé. The college will use the award to endow a scholarship in his name.

The Prix Grand-Pré, an annual award of $2,000 for Acadian Nova Scotian artists, was also awarded at the gala. It recognizes artists in performing arts and film, visual arts and crafts, and literary arts, whose work reflects Acadian cultural values and traditions, while demonstrating excellence and originality.

This year's winner is visual artist June Deveau. A native of La Baie Sainte Marie, in the Municipality of Clare, Ms. Deveau's work is inspired by memories of her childhood and her community's rich culture. Oil and acrylic paintings depict the day-to-day life of her ancestors, from life on the farm to scenes of the ocean and the music that she grew up with.

Five people received Established Artist Recognition Awards of $5,000:

• Catherine Banks is a playwright who has received national recognition for The Summer of the Piping Plover, Bitter Rose, Bone Cage and her current play Missy and Me.

• David Clark has developed an engaging blend of digital media technology and intellectual discourse with projects like A is for Apple, which has been shown in more than 50 festivals and venues around the world.

• Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie are collaborative creators of fine ceramic pottery. Owners of Lucky Rabbit Pottery, they have carved a prominent place in the arts and craft community.

• Laurie Swim has had a positive influence on the development of art quilting in Nova Scotia and internationally. Her landscape-based work exhibits her sense of place and commitment to the Nova Scotia experience.

• Ken Schwartz is artistic director and co-founder of Two Planks and a Passion theatre. With wife Chris O'Neill, he has enhanced appreciation for culture in the Annapolis Valley with the creation of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.

The $10,000 Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award celebrates excellence and initiative in incorporating arts and culture into community life.

The Municipality of the County of Inverness won for bringing arts and culture to the forefront of its identity. It is expressed in the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Strathspey Place, Inverness County Centre for the Arts and Les Trois Pignons.

Award funding is from a portion of the investment interest on the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund.

All award nominations and submissions were reviewed by external assessment panels or peer juries.

The Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council was established in 2003. In consultation with the arts and culture sector, the council provides advice and recommendations to guide the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage in ongoing investment in Nova Scotia's artists, cultural industries and cultural activities.