Six local artists and arts supporters were recognized for outstanding achievement last Thursday (June 12) during the Peterborough Arts Awards at the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Presented by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3), the awards also recognized another nine finalists in six award categories.
The celebration was attended by Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal and councillor Alex Bierk on behalf of the City of Peterborough and included performances by 11 local artists and a keynote speech by Missy Knott, an acclaimed musician from Curve Lake First Nation and a member of the Ontario Arts Council Board.
Lynda Todd, Olivia Whetung, Syd Birrell, Sarah DeCarlo, David Goyette, and Chad Hogan each received $2,000 and a pin created by local artists Christy Haldane and Valerie Davidson. As the recipient of the Arts Champion, Goyette will be donating his prize to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization.
The nine finalists for the awards — Elisha May Rubacha, Káhnitha (Ashley Thompson), Michael Duguay, Nicole Malbeuf, Kim Blackwell, Frank Flynn, William Kingfisher, Lindy Finlan, and Jason Wilkins — each received $250.
The finalists and the winners were selected by a peer jury from a multi-disciplinary pool of nominated candidates.
An independent not-for-profit service organization supporting the arts in Peterborough and the surrounding region, EC3 established the awards to honour and recognize excellence and outstanding achievement of professional artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters living and working the city and county of Peterborough.
The six award categories and their sponsors, finalists, and recipients are listed below.
Outstanding Emerging Artist
Sponsored by Tim Barrie of Merit II Realty Limited, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least two years.
The finalists were Káhnitha (Ashley Thompson), Elisha May Rubacha, and Lynda Todd, with the award presented to Lynda Todd.
Outstanding Mid-Career Artist
Sponsored by an anonymous donor, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least five years.
The finalists were Michael C. Duguay, Nicole Malbeuf, and Olivia Whetung, with the award presented to Olivia Whetung.
Outstanding Senior Artist
Sponsored by Paul and Kristine Hickey, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least 15 years.
The finalists were Syd Birrell, Kim Blackwell, and Frank Flynn, with the award presented to Syd Birrell.
Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Artist
Sponsored by Bill Lockington of LLF Lawyers LLP, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an Indigenous artist, working professionally in any discipline, contemporary or traditional form.
The finalists were Sarah DeCarlo and William Kingfisher, with the award presented to Sarah DeCarlo.
Arts Champion
Sponsored by Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, this award recognizes a person who has consistently provided outstanding support and encouragement for the development of the arts in Peterborough through philanthropy, volunteerism, or the development of partnerships and collaborations (the prize is given to an individual who, in turn, gives it to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization).
The sole finalist and award recipient is David Goyette.
Arts Catalyst
Sponsored by Kate and Alex Ramsay, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by a professional arts administrator or manager, fundraiser, art critic, curator, educator, programmer, or producer who has worked behind the scenes to build excellence in the arts.
The finalists were Lindy Finlan, Chad Hogan, and Jason Wilkins, with the award presented to Chad Hogan.
