Huron County, ON – The White Carnation in Holmesville was the host site for the fifth annual Huron Cultural Awards which took place on Friday May 2, 2014, celebrating the talent of Huron County.
The Huron Arts & Heritage Network recognized excellence in the arts, culture and heritage at the evening event which featured live entertainment by the South Huron District High School Jazz Combo, Sarah Hoy and Marion Day and Marion de Vries of the Blyth Festival. The evening also included a special recognition of Nobel Prize winning author and Huron County native, Alice Munro.
Award nominees were recognized for their contributions in 2013 in one of five categories: Cultural Event/Organization, Individual Artist, Community Contribution, Youth or Heritage Individual/Organization.
Cultural Event/Organization recognizes a cultural organization, event, festival or business (private or not-for-profit) that has made a contribution to the enhancement and vitality of the County’s cultural sector. This year’s award went to the Bach Music Festival of Canada.
The Individual Artist award recognizes an individual artist within any arts discipline who through their work has contributed to the reputation of Huron County as a producer of artistic excellence. This year’s recipient was Susan Hay.
Community Contribution recognizes a patron, supporter or volunteer who through their efforts and dedication has made a significant impact on the cultural community of Huron County. Dedicated volunteer Gail Lear was this year’s recipient.
The Youth Award, which recognizes the creative talent and commitment to artistic excellence of a Huron County youth between the ages of 14 and 25 years old, was presented to Genevieve and Shannon Pitre.
In recognizing an individual or organization that has made a contribution to either the promotion or preservation of Huron County’s unique heritage, the Heritage Individual/Organization award was presented for A Remembrance: The Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
This year’s Warden’s Award, which recognizes an outstanding nominee across all categories, was presented by Huron County Warden Joe Steffler to Duncan McGregor.
This year’s recipients received a piece of stained glass (incorporating slate from the roof of Historic Gaol in Goderich) by artist Brigitte Wolf of Reflections Glass Studio.
“We would like to congratulate all the recipients and thank all those people who attended the event. We especially appreciate the support of our award sponsors – Foundation for Education, Goderich Kinsmen, Blyth Festival Art Gallery Committee and the County of Huron,” said Deb Sholdice, Chair of the Huron Arts & Heritage Network Board of Directors.
New at this year’s Cultural Awards was a silent auction. “We would also like to thank all the individuals, businesses and organizations who donated items for the auction,” adds Sholdice.
Created in 2009, The Huron Cultural Awards raise the profile of our dynamic cultural community and provide local individuals, organizations and businesses within the culture and heritage sector with some well deserved recognition. The Huron County Cultural Awards are produced by the Huron Arts & Heritage Network (HAHN) and the Cultural Services Department of the County of Huron.
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For more information our media contact is Rick Sickinger, Huron County Cultural Services Officer at 519.482.5457 ext. 8.