The Scugog Council for the Arts announced the winners of the 2012 Community in the Arts Awards at the organization’s annual Awards Night, held May 29th at the Scugog Memorial Public Library’s Rotary Room.The awards are presented annually and have been created by the SCA to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to the vibrancy of the arts community in Scugog. In addition to recognizing the awards recipients, the SCA has also acknowledged the wealth of local artistic talent by commissioning the 2012 presentation pieces from local artist and Artist for the Arts recipient, Bonnie Thomson.
The winners of the SCA Literary and Songwriting contests were also recognized during the evening and the SCA thanks Books Galore and Long & McQuade for their support of the arts by contributing to the awards packages. The 2013 Literary and Songwriting contests will be moving to a new timeslot, under a new name “Winter Words”, to become part of a new Port Perry BIA winter festival in February. Entry forms will be available in early fall of 2012.
Community in the Arts Award Recipients
Business for the Arts Award
This award recognizes a business that has shown an exemplary spirit of investment to the arts in Scugog.This year’s award has been presented to SCA member, Stephanie Herrera and Durham Improv. Durham Improv is Durham region’s only improvisation theatre school and live improv show, offering everything from performances, to educational and corporate workshops and the first “Mixed Abilities Improv Troupe”. Her interactive improve dinner theatre productions have brought hundreds of people to restaurants such as Port Perry’s Jesters Court. Stephanie also teaches through the Ontario Arts Council, was a nominee for a 2011 Art of Transition Award and contributes as a volunteer to many other community organizations in Durham.
Kent Farndale Patron of the Arts Award
In recognition of the overwhelming dedication to the arts shown by Kent Farndale, this award has been named in her honour and recognizes an individual who has shown an outstanding level of support to the arts in Scugog. This year’s award goes to Pamela Meacher, best known for her exquisite watercolours and books, often full of of faeries and whimsy. In addition to being a longstanding member and volunteer of the SCA, Pamela has been involved with many areas of the arts community through the Scugog Studio Tour, the Highland of Durham Dancers, and local theatre, among others. Most recently Pamela now sits as Vice Chair of the Scugog Public Arts Advisory Committee and has become a member of the SCA Board of Directors.
Artist for the Arts Award
The Artist for the Arts Award recognizes an individual artist who has shown significant support and involvement, not only in their own discipline but also in multiple areas of the arts throughout Scugog. This year’s recipient is glass artist, Lis Simpson, for her ongoing efforts to promote the arts, for the benefit of other artists as well as the general public. Lis has been secretary on the SCA board of directors and is past chair of both the Scugog Studio Tour and the Purple Turtle Art Festival and is coordinating the first Wild at Heart Studio Tour.
New Artist in the Community
This award recognizes an artist who has newly established themselves in the community and has demonstrated a high level of support for the arts in Scugog within that time. The artist may literally be a new resident of Scugog, or be newly practicing art in Scugog. Visual artist Ron Peter receives this year’s New Artist award. Over the past two years, Ron has shown a serious commitment to not only the development and presentation of his own work but to the support of arts activities throughout the community. He has participated in the Scugog Studio Tour, supported local theatre, become an active member and volunteer with the SCA and is an excellent ambassador for the arts in Scugog.
Young Artist in the Community
This award celebrates an outstanding young artist in any discipline and serves as a reminder that the potential and future of the arts will be realized by our youth. The 2012 Young Artist in the Community award recipient is Sarah Baird, who has been singing and performing in Scugog for most of her life. Now in Grade 9 at Port Perry High School, she has excelled as a vocalist with a professionalism and maturity beyond her years. Sarah was a guest performer at the 2011 Legacy of Scugog Gala for the Arts and has also appeared on Rogers TV.
Educator in the Arts
This award recognizes teachers and schools in the education system, who have demonstrated a commitment to and passion for the arts through their profession, making a significant cultural contribution to the school and general community. The Educator in the Arts award is presented to elementary teacher, Crystal Waterman. Crystal is an individual who sees the world artistically, expresses what she sees and encourages others to join her. As the Grade 2 teacher at Greenbank Public School, Crystal uses art to teach all her subjects and a walk down the school hallway, or to her classroom, shows that this is a teacher who knows how to instill a love of art, the process of creativity and pride in craftsmanship in all her students.
Literary Contest Winners
Adult Fiction
1st Place – Yvonne Hess
2nd Place – Saba Syed
3rd Place – Libbi Hood
Honorable Mention – Barbara Ponomareff
Adult Poetry
1st Place – Barbara Ponomareff
2nd Place – Greer Roberts
3rd Place – Fahim Ali
Youth Fiction
1st Place – Jess Wheelock
2nd Place – Faiyaz Islam
3rd Place – Jen Carson
Honorable Mention – Brenna Williamson
Youth Poetry
1st Place – Jade Wheelock
2nd Place – Michael Williamson
3rd Place – Brenna Williamson
Songwriting Contest Winners
1st Place – Kent Sheridan
Honorable Mention – West Hammock (Hunter Sheridan, Sean Thornton)