Celebrating Artistic Excellence

On Friday, October 26, Nova Scotian artists and art lovers gathered at the Brewery Market in Halifax for the 7th annual Creative Nova Scotia Awards; Art. Awards. Celebration.

Hosted by the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, the Lieutenant Governors Masterworks Award Foundation and Government, the “no-tie” affair featured the presentation of 10 prestigious art awards.

Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, presented Thom Fitzgerald with the esteemed Portia White Prize, which promotes excellence, innovation and expression in the arts.

Selected by an independent jury of artists and valued at $18,000, the award honours African Nova Scotian artist Portia White, who rose through adversity to achieve international acclaim as a classical singer on the great stages of Europe and North America. As part of the prize, the winner is given the opportunity to award the Protégé Prize, worth $7,000, to an emerging Nova Scotia artist or cultural organization. Mr. Fitzgerald named the Fringe Festival as his protégé.

Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant presented the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award to Kim Morgan for her life-size model of the range light at Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.

Selected by an external jury, the $25,000 annual award recognizes, rewards and encourages excellence in all creative media, and highlights works that have a strong connection to Nova Scotia in the context of national and international achievement.

The Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award, which supports the integration of arts and culture into community life was awarded to Christmas Island ($10,000).

The Prix Grand-Pré, which recognizes Nova Scotia’s creative and interpretive artists reflecting Acadian cultural values was awarded to  Germaine Comeau ($2,000).

Ami Mackay, Michael Melski, Otis Tomas, Sarah Maloney and Shimon Walt were each recipients of an Established Artist Recognition Award, which recognizes mid-career, established professional artists ($5,000 each).