It’s pretty tough to find the articulate Gerry Buccini at a loss for words. But when the St. Albert Community Band president heard the group was nominated for a Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Gala award, he was left slightly tongue-tied.
After the Gazette caught up with him to get his thoughts on the nomination for the ATB Award for Sustained Support of the Arts, the jovial musician said, “What a perfect way to finish our 40th year and start the next 40. How could it be any better?”
The St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Committee, organizers of the Mayor’s Gala, released the list of nominees this past Tuesday. The gala’s high point is an award ceremony that recognizes local artistic achievement and launches the StArts Fest running Sept. 17 to 19.
After receiving 33 nominations, some of which were duplicates, the committee selected 30 candidates in six categories. Potters, painters, playwrights, actors, musicians, singers and dancers were fairly well represented.
“We’re extremely pleased with the nominations. There is good representation of the arts community both from professional and amateur artists in St. Albert,” said committee chair Peter Moloney.
This year the youth artist category spiked with double the number of entries of last year. “We took a step to identify arts teachers and sent out emails to ask them to nominate their best students.”
Perhaps the oldest nominee is the legendary Dr. Lillian Upright, founder of the original St. Albert Singers and a local piano teacher for 32 years. “I think it’s wonderful. I’m very pleased,” said Upright upon hearing of her nomination for the Mayor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
A talented pianist, she dreamed of playing Paris concert halls. “But the main thrust of my work is as a piano teacher and that’s where I made significant contributions.”
At the other end of the age spectrum, Cecilia Gee, 16, was no less pleased by her nomination in the Visionary College Award for Youth Artist. The classical violinist has performed with the Edmonton Youth Orchestra since 2004 and was the intermediate orchestra’s concertmaster in 2007 and 2008.
“I was so delighted. You don’t think you will be nominated at such a young age when you’re just starting. It’s such an honour,” Gee said.
“Each category is impressive in quality of nominations and the choices are going to be difficult,” Moloney added. “But we are looking forward to Sept. 17 and sharing in the community’s achievements.”
Tickets for the Mayor’s Gala are $40 and will be available at the Arden box office on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. Up-to-date festival information is available at www.startsfest.ca.
Nominees
The Mayor's Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts <br />o Elke Blodgett, potter<br />o Joanna Drummond, visual artist <br />o Michael Lazar, luthier<br />o Criselda Mierau, choir director<br />o Lillian Upright, pianist and music teacher<br />o Pat Wagensveld, visual artist<br />o Laura Watmough, visual artist<br />Don's Piano/Petrof Award for Excellence in Arts Teaching <br />o Diane Gwilliam, potter <br />o Sophia Leong, ballet instructor <br />o Andrew Raczynski, arts teacher<br />o Joan Ritchie, piano teacher<br />o Sherri Urkow, dance instructor<br />o Laura Watmough, visual artist<br />Visionary College Award for Youth Artist <br />o Steven Angove, actor and playwright <br />o Gina Bazarelli, visual and performing artist<br />o Katie Fitzgerald, visual artist<br />o Cecilia Gee, musician<br />o Kassandra Harvey, artist<br />o Desiree Leverenz, actor<br />Visionary Entertainment Award for Emerging Artist<br />o Moriganagh McNally, visual artist<br />o Robert Mulder, singer, songwriter and musician<br />o Alison Russell, dancer<br />o Paige Tirs, dancer<br />o Stephanie Werner-Jane, writer<br />o Linda Willard, potter<br />Standard General Award for Arts Promotion<br /> o Lewis Lavoie, visual artist<br />o Graeme Peppink, musician<br />ATB Award for Sustained Support of the Arts <br />o St. Albert Community Band<br />o St. Albert Singers Guild<br />o Tim Hortons
