Media Release: NLAC announces details about the 2010 Arts Awards
April 07, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NLAC announces details about the 2010 Arts Awards
April 7, 2011, St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) is pleased to announce details about the 26th Annual Arts Awards Show and Gala which will take place Saturday April 30, 2011, 8 p.m. at the Reid Theatre in St. John’s.
This annual event is a celebration of the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador. Artists of all disciplines are recognized through the presentation of six awards: Artist of the Year, Arts Achievement, Arts in Education, Emerging Artist, Hall of Honour, and Patron of the Arts.
Hall of Honour
The NLAC Hall of Honour Award recognizes a person, group or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The inductees for 2011 are The Labrador Creative Arts Festival, and passionate supporter of the arts Roberta Thomas, who passed away on December 31, 2010.
They will be officially inducted into the Hall of Honour at the Arts Awards ceremony on April 30, 2011.
Finalists
Also announced today are the finalists for the 2010 Emerging Artist Award. This award recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group, or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for a piece of work or a generally out-sized impact on the scene.
The finalists for 2010 are:
Jordan Bennett – visual artist (Corner Brook)
Jordan Canning – filmmaker (St. John’s)
Billy Gauthier – sculptor/carver (North West River)
The winner, along with the winners in all other award categories, will be announced at the Arts Awards ceremony on April 30, 2011.
Producer/Director, Host, and Entertainment
Well-known actress, comedian, and theatre director Berni Stapleton is producing/directing this year’s Arts Awards show. She’s teaming up with her long-time partner-in-comedy Amy House who will serve as host for the evening. Musical hosts The Dardanelles will be joined by actor Frank Holden and dancer Sarah Joy Stoker for a great evening of entertainment.
Artwork and Awards
Winners in five of the six award categories will be presented with a piece of original art, created especially for this year’s Awards by potter and ceramic artist Isabella St. John. St. John operates Blue Moon Pottery located in the Battery overlooking St. John’s Harbour. For the Awards, she has created a series of five individual porcelain lanterns. She feels the recipients of these Awards are the light-bearers of the province’s artistic community, so it’s appropriate that they be recognized by the symbol of a lantern. Her pieces will be presented to the winners of the Artist of the Year, Arts in Education, Emerging Artist, Arts Achievement, and Patron of the Arts Awards.
The Arts Awards Show and Gala
The 26th Annual Arts Awards will take place 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Reid Theatre in St. John’s.
For more information contact:
Janet McDonald
Communications Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
(709) 726-2212
1 (866) 726-2212 (Toll free NL only)
The NLAC is a non-profit Crown agency created in 1980 by The Arts Council Act. Its mission is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of 13 appointed by government, reflecting regional representation of the province. This includes 10 professional artists who provide sectoral representation of the arts community; one community representative (with an interest in the arts); one business representative (with an interest in the arts); and one representative of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (non-voting). The NLAC receives an annual grant from the Province to support a variety of granting programs, program delivery, office administration, and communications. It also seeks support from the public and private sector. It supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film, multidiscipline, music, theatre, visual art, and writing.