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M a yo r ’ s Ce l e b ra t i o n fo r B u s in e s s & t h e A r t s Recognizing the achievements of individuals, organizations and businesses who have contributed to the vibrancy of the arts in our city
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 allied arts cou n cil LETHBRIDGE
PROGRAM OF EVENTS Hosts: David Gabert & Ashley Thomson Gabriel Thaine, singer/songwriter, piano Message from the Allied Arts Council Board President Message from the Mayor of Lethbridge Catherine McLaughlin, dance Allied Arts Council Aspiring Artist Award Allied Arts Council Young Artist Award Troy Emery Twigg, dance Allied Arts Council Award of Excellence Individual Business Service Organziation Claire Lint, dance Joan Waterfield Memorial Award Closing Remarks John Wort Hannam, singer/songwriter, guitar
THANK YOU TO...
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Blake Everden for creating the Joan Waterfield Memorial Award portrait Italian Table for the Sugar & Spice & Bottle of Nice add-on Sonic Multimedia for the awards video production Nancy Graham, Stage Manager uLethbridge Conservatory of Music for the use of the piano
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to The Art of Giving – The Mayor’s Celebration for Business and the Arts. We are excited to have you join us, virtually, on YouTube and watching on Shaw Channel 9. Much like in previous years, today’s live showcase is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the vital relationship between our arts community, local business and the municipal government. During the broadcast, we acknowledge the incredible contributions made by individuals, businesses and service organizations. They are essential to the vibrancy of the arts in our community. The creativity of the arts, coupled with a strong civic vision and philanthropic support ensures the vitality of our community. Lethbridge is a better place because we all work together. On behalf of the Allied Arts Council Board of Directors, we acknowledge the visionaries of the past, we support our present artists and look forward to the future. We recognize the arts as an essential contributor to Lethbridge’s value and growth. Thank you for attending, contributing and celebrating! Margaret (Peggy) Mezei, President, AAC Board of Directors
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Krystal Cruikshank, Jeremy Duchan, David Gabert, Scott Rowland, Jon Oxley, Sharon Stevenson-Ferrari, Ian Zadieks
MAYOR’S MESSAGE Hello Everyone! I’m honoured to welcome all of you to this year’s Art of Giving - Mayor’s Celebration for Business and the Arts. The arts are how any society is both known and remembered. This year’s award recipients have earned their place in our City’s arts legacy through their extraordinary contribution of time, energy or financial support. We thank each one of you for enriching our community. The business sector has always been a steadfast partner in supporting the arts in Lethbridge, and we are proud of those businesses that recognize the tremendous value that the arts bring to our lives by sponsoring arts events and initiatives in the city. We thank you for always being there to lend your support, especially during the challenges faced by the arts sector this past year. The Allied Arts Council works to create abundant opportunities for the exposure of arts and culture in all its forms, and encourages the development of the artistic talents of the citizens of Lethbridge. Thanks to this organization, our arts scene will continue to be vibrant and on a charted course for an exciting future! Congratulations to the board of directors, staff and volunteers for building upon the arts legacy in our community and for giving our talented, creative artists a place to shine. Congratulations to all the award recipients! Your work is truly a gift to our community and your contributions inspire us all. Chris Spearman, Mayor City of Lethbridge
2020
Recipients THE ASPIRING ARTIST AWARD ,
Janelle Wipf
introduced in 2019, recognizes a young artist, in grades 9 through 12, that recognizes the student’s level of achievement measured against peers at a similar stage of development. The award is valued at $1,000 and is intended to support and encourage artistic work. JANELLE WIPF is a pianist and vocalist dedicated to becoming a well-rounded Nole Richardson musician. She is self-motivated, engaged, creative and a leader among her peers at Catholic Central High School and the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music.
THE YOUNG ARTIST AWARD recognizes a young artist in the Lethbridge region who is working to advance and enhance the arts in Lethbridge. The award is valued at $1,000 and is intended to support and encourage artistic work. NOLE RICHARDSON AACE Business is a theatre designer and technician. Passionate about the Lethbridge theatre scene, Nole’s creativity and devotion to his art andJanelle theatre inWipf Lethbridge make him deserving of the Allied Arts Council Young Artist Award.
Mary-Lynn Muhly
Nole Richardson
ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL
Award of Excellence (AACE)
THE AACE INDIVIDUAL AWARD recognizes a person who has made philanthropic contributions to an organization and thereby enhanced the entire arts community. JOHN & LYNN GILLIAT, nominated by the LethbridgeJanelle Symphony, are being John & Lynn Gillat Wipf recognized for their contributions to the arts community through their significant volunteer work with the Lethbridge Symphony and the former Lethbridge Youth Strings Association. John & Lynn have performed with the Lethbridge Symphony for 40 years; John has served on the Lethbridge Symphony’s Artistic Committee and Board of Directors for several andGillat through the Lethbridge Youth Strings Association, John years; & Lynn Janelle Wipf John & Lynn provided many young string players with the opportunity to learn and perform in string ensembles. THE AACE BUSINESS AWARD recognizes a business in the Helen Schuler Nature Centre community that has made outstanding philanthropic contributions and thereby enhances the entire arts community. This year’s recipient is NORTH & COMPANY LLP. North & Company, nominated by the Allied Arts Council and SAAG, is being recognized for its Helen Schuler Nature Centre continuous sponsorship support for both organizations over the past 15 years.
AACE Business
AACE Business
John & Lynn Gillat
Janelle Wipf
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
THE AACE SERVICE ORGANIZATION AWARD recognizes a club, service organization or non-profit group that has contributed to the Lethbridge community through the arts. THE HELEN SCHULER NATURE CENTRE is being recognized for its efforts in engaging artists in their community exhibition space, providing opportunities for artists to install in the AACE nature reserve andBusiness worked with the Public Art Committee on both a significant installation and small project grants.
Joan Waterfield Janelle Wipf
Nole Richardson
MEMORIAL AWARD
THE JOAN WATERFIELD MEMORIAL AWARD is awarded each year to a deserving recipient who is recognized by their contemporaries for advancing and enhancing the arts in Lethbridge. MARY-LYNN MUHLY, nominated by Lethbridge Musical Theatre, is this year’s Joan Waterfield Memorial Award recipient. Mary-Lynn has AACE Business Mary-Lynn Muhly been a pillar for Lethbridge’s theatre community, serving in various positions such as a props mistress, set dresser, assistant stage manager, stage crew, and recently, director. Mary-Lynn has also served many years on the boards for Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society, Playgoers of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Musical Theatre.
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M a yo r ’ s Ce l e b ra t i o n fo r B u s in e s s & t h e A r t s
Past Award Recipients
ASPIRING ARTIST AWARD
AACE INDIVIDUAL
2019 – Kaitlyn Carter
2007 – Ralph Thrall Jr. 2008 – Minda Rogerson 2009 – Val & Flora Matteotti 2010 – Carol Roberts 2011 – Dr. Barbara Lacey & Robert Tarleck 2012 – Jonathan Lance Scout 2013 – Pete Fiorino 2014 – John Savill 2015 – Rene van de Vendel 2016 – Vern Miller 2017 – Rose Primachuck 2018 – Sandy & Bob Brunelle 2019 - Richard Amery
YOUNG ARTIST AWARD 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
– Camille Pavlenko – Claire Lint – Courtney Faulkner – Angeline Simon – Megan Wittig
AACE BUSINESS 2007 – National Salvage 2008 – Global Television 2009 – Sterling Mutuals Inc. 2010 – Clear Sky Radio 2011 – CTV Lethbridge 2012 – TD 2013 – Mike Spencer Geometrics 2014 – Royal LePage South Country 2015 – RBC Foundation 2016 – FWBA Architects 2017 – Drunken Sailor 2018 –The Owl Acoustic Lounge 2019 - Subaru of Lethbridge
AACE SERVICE ORGANIZATION 2007 – Chinook Health Healing Arts Program 2008 – Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge 2009 – University of Lethbridge 2010 – Southminster United Church 2011 – Covenant Health 2012 – Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens 2013 – Rotary Club of Lethbridge 2015 – University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music 2017 – Ability Resource Centre 2018 – Lethbridge Public Library 2019 – Lethbridge Public Schools, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, Ecole la Verendrye
JOAN WATERFIELD MEMORIAL AWARD 2005 –Joan Waterfield 2006 – Linda Bayly 2007 – Elaine Harrison 2008 – Van Christou 2009 – Francis Schultz 2010 – George & Nellie Mann 2011 – Maureen Chambers & Trent Moranz 2012 – Robert Fenton 2013 – Margaret (Peggy) Mezei 2014 – Edward Bayly 2015 – Paul & Nancy Walker 2016 – George Evelyn & Lottie Austin 2017 – Alex Bakk 2018 – Kate Connolly 2019 – Don Robb
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Do you know of someone who should be recognized for their commitment to supporting the arts in Lethbridge through volunteerism and philanthropy? Please contact the AAC Office for Nomination Forms: Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge 318 7 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2G2 403.320.0555 artslethbridge.org
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Hosts DAVID GABERT Improviser. Mental Health Advocate. Caffeine Fueled Father. After many months of isolation, the rare and elusive David has finally cut his hair (much to his daughter’s elation)! You may have kept up with his David Gabert shaggy style through the online shows of Theatre Outre and his pre-COVID works as an improviser in Lethbridge and Calgary. Or you might know him best from his day job with the Canadian Mental Health Association here in Lethbridge. Or you may have never heard of him. If not, now’s your chance to change that! David is excited to find a mask that coordinates with his tie and bring his sassy style of comedy to this year’s Art of Giving.
ASHLEY THOMAS
Ahsley Thomson
Ashley grew up doing theatre in Lethbridge with LMT, Shakespeare in the Park and New West. By day she is a mild-mannered Occupational Therapist. By night she gets wild with the Didi’s Playhaus ImpromptOu Players and Karen Lewis and Pam, Lethbridge’s only Sharon Lois and Bram cover band.
Performers GABRIEL THAINE is a singersongwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and photographer from Lethbridge, Alberta. Steeped in folk, gospel, and show tunes, Gabriel plays a crowd-pleasing blend of folk, country, blues, and popular music. His music has been compared to Blue Rodeo, Hawksley Workman, and Tom Waits.
CATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN is a dancer and musician based in Lethbridge. Her early dance training was centred around Danceworks Dance Academy and its Inturns Modern Dance Company. After completing a Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge, McLaughlin pursued professional dance training in Toronto. She is a graduate of the Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre where her passion for Martha Graham technique was ignited while studying with world renowned teachers such as Helen Jones and Patricia Miner. Since returning to Lethbridge in 2007, McLaughlin strives to share her passion with anyone who will move with her. She teaches at Danceworks and serves as principal bass in the Lethbridge Symphony. She is a co-founder of LSIDA and currently serves as board president. She is excited for this opportunity to promote her beloved art-form and collaborate with others who share her passion for dance.
Performers TROY EMERY TWIGG is from the Kainai Nation in Southern Alberta. He has worked as an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, dramaturg and instructor but is primarily an artist in movement, choreography and staging, mostly creating his own works that have been presented nationally and internationally. Troy was one of the original visionaries and founding artists of the groundbreaking Making Treaty 7 theatrical event. He is co-director for the young people’s theatre version of Making Treaty 7 titled We Are All Treaty People, which has been nominated for a Dora Award in the Best Production, Theatre for Young Audience Division. Recently he has worked with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks; The Prairie Dance Exchange, and the Groundbreaking Iinisikimm puppet project with the Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppety. He has co-curated an exhibition called By Invitation Only: Dance, Confederation and Reconciliation for Dance Collection Danse. He has recently acted in Omari Newton’s Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy of, at the National Arts Centre and in Lemon Tree Creations, Why Not Theatre and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s production of Lilies. Although COVID has cancelled his year of work on stage, the resiliency of work in hard times has kept him going. He contributed to the Banff Centre as part of the Globe and Mails Anthem. Is creating a digital podcast work for Jupiter Theatre and will be remounting Iniskim to be presented by the National Arts Centre online.
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CLAIRE LINT is an ADAPT certified instructor, choreographer and dance artist based in Lethbridge, Alberta. She was professionally trained in the ADAPT, RAD and Al Gilbert tap syllabi and has studied in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and throughout Western Canada. A graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and she continues to work on and off the stage in dance and theatre. She is Artistsic Director of Haptic Dance Arts is co-founder of the Lethbridge Society of Independent Dance Artists (LSIDA), where she currently sits as President on the Board. Claire continues to develop her personal practice as a dance artist while striving to share her wealth of technical knowledge and passion for movement through her work as a dance educator.
In 2001, roots/folk musician JOHN WORT HANNAM quit his teaching job and spent 10 months depleting his savings while sat at his kitchen table, wearing a lucky hat, writing his first ten songs. Eighteen years later, with a few feathers in that lucky hat that include a JUNO nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year, he’s got a new energy fueled by a new band, a new sound, and a ton of new songs.
PARTNERS PLATINUM Val Matteotti Ranches Ltd.
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allied arts council LETHBRIDGE
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A vibrant arts community enriches Lethbridge
Mission The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge provides leadership in advancing and enhancing the arts in Lethbridge
JOAN WATERFIELD MEMORIAL AWARD SPONSOR Brent Oleksy
WMS
Shilpa Stocker
MEDIA SPONSORS