Two local acting mainstays will be the star recipients of this year’s lifetime achievement award at the revamped Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.
Theatre, film and television actors Maureen Rooney and Paul Punyi, previously nominated in the established artist award, were bumped to the ceremony’s most prestigious award.
The award ceremony, hosted by CTV weatherman and comedian Josh Classen, will be presented at the fourth annual Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Gala on Tuesday, March 19 at the Arden Theatre.
“It knocked us out. It surprised us because we weren’t expecting it,” said Rooney. “When you do it, you don’t think about achievement awards. It doesn’t seem like we’ve been doing it that much, but I guess over the years it piles up.”
Several decades ago, this exciting husband-wife team practically invented the concept of artist-in-residence and have consistently lobbied for vibrant fine arts programs in schools.
Individually and as a couple, they've played in just about every theatre from the Citadel, Mayfield and Workshop West to Northern Light, Nexxus and Theatre Network.
Throughout their successful partnership, they have tailored original shows such as Hats and Gloves: Hard Work and Dream, Memories of a Christmas Ornament and Meet the Street to St. Albert. Yet each production was threaded with an intrinsic, universal appeal.
“Paul’s career highlight was playing Father Lacombe during the 150th anniversary both for Meet the Street and St. Albert Parish. He was profoundly moved by that experience. It was absolutely a highlight in researching that character,” added Rooney.
“For me it’s working with children. Every time I work with children in a school and they put on a production, it gives me a kick.”
The two St. Albert thespians also researched, wrote a script and acted in My Dear Sweet Maye… My Own Darling Sam, a 22-minute film that was part of the Sam Steele exhibit in the summer of 2012.
Mayor Nolan Crouse has gotten to know the couple in the last seven years of public office.
“They’re so giving of their talents. They’re dedicated as career professionals, dedicated to the community and dedicated to young people,” he said.
Now that Rooney and Punyi are no longer competing for the established artist award, guitarist Peter Belec, frontman for the Peter Belec Trio and organizer for Rick’s Grill Thursday night jazz, is the automatic shoo-in.
In the youth artist category two singer-actors compete head-to-head. Carlee Rybski is an alumna of St. Albert Children’s Theatre and Andrew Boyd is a recipient of the prestigious Rose Bowl at the 2012 St. Albert Rotary Music Fest.
“Unfortunately I haven’t seen Carlee perform, however I heard Andrew at the Night of Stars. He has great stage presence and a powerful voice. He does it all – sings, acts, writes and directs,” said Nancy Watt, gala chair.
The emerging artist award has the largest number of contenders at five nominees with actor-singer Lauren Boyd, visual artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky, actor-singer Madelaine Knight, fashion designer Moriganagh McNally and painter-photographer Lesley Roy.
Boyd is a Paul Kane High student who’s actively involved with the Citadel’s Young Musical Company and Knight is a former SACT alumna working as a professional actress. Williams-Chapelsky is an abstract impressionist who works in clay and canvas and is a productive artist with numerous projects on the go.
As a creative artist McNally has a unique whimsical style that is completely original and impossible to duplicate. By donating her designs to the Festival of Trees annually, she has helped raise close to $50,000 for the hospital charity.
Lesley Roy, a member of the St. Albert Photo Club, takes her macro-lens to the world of insects and has generated stunning photographic nature studies.
In the category for excellence in arts teaching three have received a nod. Vocal instructor Joan Bilau has taught musical theatre and classical in St. Albert for 20 years. Another nominee, long-time resident and visual artist Laura Watmough, is being recognized for her contributions and love of painting. And finally, Darrell Marko is cited for having taught Ukrainian dance for 30 years. He has also performed with Cheremosh and Vinok World Dance.
When contacted by the Gazette, Marko felt that his nomination was not only a personal honour, but also a powerful confirmation of the arts in our lives.
“It’s nice way to recognize people and artistic expression in many forms. Being an artist is generally low paying and most do it because they love it. If we don’t recognize people, our art will slip away and die,” he said.
In the arts leadership award category, Peg McPherson, founder of the St. Albert Painters Guild, and Alan Murdock, a strong supporter of Arts and Heritage, the Rotary Music Festival and the Chamber Music Series, meet on an equal plane.
The community arts group award goes to St. Albert Community Band and the recipient for corporate patron of the arts award is Don’s Piano Showroom.
Dress for the gala evening is semi-formal. Tickets are $35 per person that includes a reception. They are available at 780-459-1542 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
