Culture Awards Make Big Splash in Tusket

Arts and culture were saluted in Tusket, Yarmouth Co., as the province presented annual arts awards at the fourth Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala today, Oct. 24.

Hosted by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council, the event spotlighted the achievements of established and up-and- coming artists.

A highlight was the presentation of the 2009 Portia White Prize to renowned actor, director, playwright and founder of Eastern Front and Ship's Company theatres, Mary Vingoe of Dartmouth. Ms. Vingoe received $18,000 and named emerging playwright Natasha MacLellan of Margaree as the recipient of the $7,000 Protégé Prize. Ms. MacLellan honed her skills at the Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre.

"Mary has not only practiced theatre arts, she has been passionately committed to helping others practice their craft as well," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "She has given a voice and a stage to hundreds of Nova Scotian writers, actors, musicians, set designers, sound technicians, stage managers and other theatre artists."

The prize is named for the late Portia White who overcame adversity to become a world famous classical singer.

Marie Stella Bourgeois of Chéticamp received the $2,000 Prix Grand-Pré which recognizes an artist who reflects Acadian culture and originality through their work. Ms. Bourgeois is a founder of the Chéticamp Coopérative artisanale and well known as a rug hooking artist.

A number of other accomplished artists were presented $5,000 Established Artist Recognition Awards:

• writer Douglas Arthur Brown of Ross Ferry
• ceramic artist Joan Bruneau of Lunenburg
• actor Mary-Colin Chisholm of Halifax
• dancer/choreographer Veronique MacKenzie of Halifax
• visual artist Onni Nordman of South Bar, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

The role of communities in supporting arts and culture was highlighted with the Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award. This year's recipient was the Municipality of Shelburne which received $10,000 for fostering diverse programming in arts and cultural development.

"Nova Scotia's arts and culture community can be proud of the exciting and vibrant work it produces," said Joella Foulds, chair of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council. "Recognizing the achievements of our artists inspires those just finding their creative voice to pursue their artistic journey."

Information about the province's arts and culture prizes can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/culture_prizes.asp.