The clock is ticking for Alberta Arts Days coming up Sept. 17 to 19. Here in St. Albert the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Gala is a springboard for the three-day arts local festival dubbed StArts Fest.
There is no shortage of awards candidates for the gala. Below is a brief introduction to the talented nominees who work to entertain, enlighten and beautify our world.
Lifetime Achievement
• Elke Blodgett – A raku artist with 40 years experience, Blodgett's work is represented in private, corporate and government collections in North America and Europe.
• Joanna Drummond – A former St. Albert resident, Drummond's pottery is found around the world and one of her works is part of the Alberta Foundation of the Arts (AFA) permanent collection.
• Michael Lazar – The St. Albert classical guitarist has a world-class reputation for building beautifully crafted guitars.
• Criselda Mierau – The St. Albert Singers artistic director shepherds about 200 singers every year with patience, energy and passion.
• Dr. Lillian Upright – The former St. Albert resident taught piano, founded the St. Albert Singers, directed the Hot Cross Singers and several church choirs.
• Pat Wagensveld – A driving force behind VASA Studio Gallery, Wagensveld is a creative engine that allows 16 local visual artists to access studio and exhibition space.
• Laura Watmough – A teacher at her Hidden Talent Fine Arts School, Watmough trains students in the painting process of the old masters.
• Andy Michaelson – A driving force of Poet's Ink, Michaelson has participated in numerous poetry festivals and contributed largely to arts education programs.
• Frances Schuchard – A St. Albert resident for over 40 years, Schuchard has taught thousands of St. Albert and area students to sing, play piano and violin.
Excellence in Arts Teaching
• Diane Gwilliam – The cup-half-full instructor has taught pottery classes for the City of St. Albert for about two decades, helping many develop gallery-ready pottery.
• Sophia Leon – Founder of St. Albert Ballet Academy (2005), Leon teaches classes and stages an annual production that raises money for charity.
• Andrew Raczynski – An arts and English teacher at St. Albert Catholic High, Raczynski excels at enriching the curriculum by organizing events such as Celebrate the Arts Evening, a talent showcase of student works.
• Joan Ritchie – An active member of the St. Albert Piano Teachers' Association, Ritchie is lauded for her passion and generosity.
• Sherri Urkow – Owner and artistic director of Art of Dance studio, Urkow has taught dance for 35 years with successful students attending the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Stuttgart Balled, Cirque du Soleil, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal and Aszure Artistes.
• Laura Watmough – see also lifetime achievement award.
Youth Artist
• Steven Angove –A 2010 graduate of Paul Kane High, Angove has performed in seven St. Albert Children's Theatre shows (SACT) and several shows at his school.
• Gina Bazerelli – The St. Albert Catholic High student, a theatre arts performer and visual artist, won a summer visual arts scholarship to Red Deer College.
• Katie Fitzgerald – The St. Albert resident is a multi-talented young woman skilled in singing, playing the piano and drawing.
• Cecilia Gee – A Grade 12 student, this talented violinist studies with Brock Olsen of the Edmonton Symphony and is part of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra. A high academic achiever, she plans to study at McGill University.
• Kassandra Harvey – A many hued visual artist, Harvey displays creativity in painting, drawing, knitting and creating masterpiece Halloween costumes.
• Desiree Leverenz – An SACT alumna, Leverenz has acted in school plays, immersed herself in the Common Ground Art Society and taught drama for kids at ArtStart.
Emerging Artist
• Moriganagh McNally – This St. Albert resident is a textile visual artist who has donated her sculptures, raising more than $43,000 for charities. She has won 13 Design Awards from Festival of Trees.
• Robert Mulder – The St. Albert folk singer has performed over 10 shows with SACT and won two song-writing competitions at the Calgary Folk Festival and the South Country Fair Songwriting Competition.
• Alison Russell – A student for five years at St. Albert Ballet Academy, Russell has been accepted to London, England's Royal Academy of Dance.
• Paige Tirs – A dynamic dancer, the St. Albert resident has danced in theatre, film and television, special sports events, and cruise lines.
• Stephanie Werner-Jane –This St. Albert resident writes poetry with Poet's Ink and continues to write a column for Saint City News.
• Linda Willard – A former president of the St. Albert Potters' Guild, Willard was honoured when two pieces were purchased for the AFA's permanent collection.
Tickets for the Mayor's Gala are $40 and are available by calling 780-459-1542 or go online to: www.ticketmaster.ca
