This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on June 8th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
On Thursday, Saint Johners will celebrate the individuals and organizations that make up our city’s vibrant arts and culture community.
The Originals, the inaugural Saint John Arts Awards, will be hosted at the Imperial Theatre and will highlight the accomplishments of some of the city’s most well-known talent and featuring special performances by nominees and their peers.
“We’ve never honoured artists in a formal way in the city – this will be the first time we bring all these genres together in the same room,” said Judith Mackin, artistic director of the event.
Finalists represent a range of artistic genres including writers, visual artists, musicians, dancers and actors.
Saint Johners were given the opportunity to nominate finalists in 11 categories including: emerging artist, visual arts, literary arts, arts supporter, popular music, classical music, performing arts for dance, performing arts for theatre, arts organization and business for the arts. The Imperial Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Fred and the late Sheila Ross for their lifelong commitment to, and impact on, the arts in Saint John. Winners will be selected by a jury and will receive awards created by Saint John painter Paul Mathieson.
The Originals was organized by a 17-member committee, with guidance from the Saint John Community Arts Board. It will be co-hosted by Christiane Vaillancourt and CBC radio host Brent Bambury, who will be joined by local familiar faces for a number of special performances.
Many of the artists have worked together on special collaborations to mark this event. One such performance will see local punk band Hospital Grade on stage with the InterAction Children’s Theatre Company for a theatrical interpretation of one of their songs. Hemmings House Pictures has produced film clips on the finalists, which will be interwoven with the performances.
“A lot of people worked really hard to make this event happen,” Mackin said. “It’s a real testament to the dedication of the arts and business community.”
The Originals is sponsored in part by the Saint John 225 celebrations, and it is timely that these individuals are being celebrated since Saint John is also a 2010 Cultural Capital of Canada. The collective effort of all of these artists is what makes the city’s personality so special, and our arts and culture community so well-known in New Brunswick and beyond. It’s important to recognize the contributions of the individuals and groups that add so much to the city as part of the Saint John 225 celebration.
The Originals will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre. Tickets are $25, $20 for students and seniors, and are available at the Imperial Theatre box office.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
