It's two years overdue, but the city has announced the 11th St. Albert Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts lineup and lifetime achievement winner.
“From world-class performances and festivals, to local authors and artisans, St. Albert remains a national leader in its commitment to arts and culture resources, programming, and services,” said Mayor Cathy Heron in a prepared press statement released this week.
“We are thrilled to be in a position where we can finally celebrate these leaders and thank them for their contributions to our lives and highlight the positive role the arts play in our community.”
Twenty-seven nominees were selected in six award categories, plus one person was selected to receive the prestigious honour of lifetime achievement in the arts: Carol Watamaniuk.
Watamaniuk is the former director of the city's cultural department; former executive director of Arts and Heritage St. Albert; and current president and resident artist at the Visual Arts Studio Association.
She follows such artistic leaders as joint winners Nell Sadee, Joanna Drummond, Heidi Alther, Maureen Rooney and Paul Punyi, Michael Lazar, Frances Schuchard, Alan Nuttall, Elke Blodgett, Michael Massey, Dr. Lillian Upright, and Lewis Lavoie.
Watamaniuk is also a previous winner of the 2014 Arts Leadership Award. The announcement noted that she is considered by many to be "the city’s most influential arts advocate" and that "the extensive cultural programming St. Albert residents enjoy today is largely due to her initiatives and unwavering passion for the arts."
The nominees for the six other awards categories are as follows:
Emerging Artist Award
- Celine Caruso Dixon — poetry and performance art curator
- Thomas Fenton — visual artist
- Jacob Kryger — musician
- Heather Shepherd — visual artist
- Kateryna Young — visual artist
Established Artist Award
- Ryan Arcand — musician and arts leader
- David Scott — visual artist
Arts Champion Award
- Deirdre Allen — visual artist
- Bernadette Buyse — arts supporter and artist
- Kevin Jones — arts supporter and educator
- St. Albert Chamber Music Society
- United in Bronze Handbell Choir
Excellence in Arts Teaching Award
- Fred Curatolo — visual artist
- Tyler Dianocky — musician and visual artist
- Meridith Gagnon — educator
- Gary Glewinski — educator and musician
- Heather Johnson — educator and musician
- Janice Maderson — educator
- Karen May-Healey — educator
- Ralph Pretz — educator and musician
Youth Artist Award
- Jillian Aisenstat — actor
- Elena Mercuri — visual artist
- Cyra Paddon — musician
- Amanda Penner — singer and songwriter
- Redacted — musicians
- Andrea Shipka — musician
The awards evening will be hosted by St. Albert Children's Theatre alumni Carmen Leibel and Paul Woida, and will feature performances by Hailey Benedict, The Brasstactics, and Rhythm Motives. Tickets are $20 each and went on sale this week. The show is set for Thursday, April 7 at the new City Arts Space, #105, 125 Carleton Dr. For more information, visit stalbert.ca/mcoa.
