The Originals/Les Originaux Arts Awards

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225 Program

The Originals/Les Originaux

Inaugural Saint John Arts Awards to be held June 10th at Imperial Theatre

Saint John is home to some of the nation's finest and most celebrated artists, artisans, and arts volunteers - people whose passion and dedication have inspired our community, our nation, and the world.

In order to recognize and celebrate the importance of these individuals and organizations, a dedicated group of committee members, under the guidance of the Saint John Community Arts Board, has created what it hopes will be an annual or biennial event - 'The Originals/Les Originaux'.

Citizens of Saint John had the opportunity to nominate artists and organizations worthy of special recognition in 11 separate categories. Once the nominations were received, a distinguished jury first chose the finalists, and then a winner, in each category. On the evening of June 10th, the finalists will be celebrated and the winners named in glamorous fashion.

Categories and Finalists

Emerging Artist Award

An individual artist, in any genre, who has been pursuing his/her practice for fewer than five years and is no longer a student in his/her field.

Finalists: Jack Bishop / Sarah Jones / Tim Turnell

Visual Arts Award

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the visual arts.

Finalists: Gerry Collins / Suzanne Hill / Herzl Kashetsky

Literary Arts Award

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the literary arts.

Finalists: Anne Compton / Robert Moore / Clyde A. Wray / The Lorenzo Reading Series

Arts Supporter Award

A volunteer who has made a significant contribution?to the arts community.

Finalists: Tom Condon / Betty Tompkins / Michael Wennberg

Popular Music Award

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution in any musical genre other than classical.

Finalists: Brent Mason / Jessica Rhaye / Tradition

Classical Music Award

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution in classical music.

Finalists: Richard Kidd / Harbour View Choral Ensemble / Saint John String Quartet

Performing Arts Award for Dance

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution in dance.

Finalists: Sylvia Logan / Andrea Scott / Port City Dance Academy

Performing Arts Award for Theatre

An individual or group that has made a significant contribution in theatre.

Finalists: Bob Doherty / Stephen Tobias/ InterAction Children's Theatre / Saint John Theatre Company

Arts Organization Award

An organization that has made a significant contribution to the arts.

Finalists: Saint John Arts Centre / Saint John Theatre Company / Third Space Gallery

Business for the Arts Award

An individual or corporation that has made a significant contribution to the arts.

Finalists: Handworks Gallery / Hemmings House Pictures / Lancaster Recording Studios

Imperial Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award

An individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary body of work over a significant period of time.

Recipients: Fred Ross (Visual Artist) and Sheila Ross (Dancer, Teacher, Mentor)

Masters of Ceremonies

Saint John's very own Brent Bambury of CBC's National Radio 'Go!' will be sharing the stage with Christiane Vaillancourt as our 'Masters' of Ceremonies.

Brent launched his radio career at the CBC station here in Saint John with Radio Two's Brave New Waves in 1984. Since that time he has hosted a number of top-rated CBC radio and tv shows, most recently the highly acclaimed national Radio show Go!

Christiane also began her broadcasting career working with CBC, Radio-Canada and Newsworld. Her career then took her to Philadelphia, working there with NPR and PBS. Christiane studied and specialized in classical theatre and was a member of the acting company at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. A long-time contributor to the arts, she lives in Rothesay and is responsible for Public Affairs and Communications for Rogers in Atlantic Canada.

Gala Performances

Under the guidance of Artistic Director Judith Mackin, the evening of arts celebration will not only include original film clips of the finalists and the winners (produced by Hemmings House Pictures, nominated in the 'Business for the Arts' category) but will also present performances of unexpected collaborations involving visual art, dance, poetry, rock, classical music and theatre. Performances will include: Hospital Grade, Port City Dance Academy, Jessica Rhaye, the Saint John String Quartet, and Tradition, along with some very special surprise guests.