Pat Wagensveld covered her cheeks with her palms and stood at the Arden Theatre’s microphone, her soft voice barely audible as she relayed her gratitude.
This past Friday, the St. Albert visual artist, a long-time fixture of the arts community, was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Gala.
More than simply unleashing her soul on canvas, Wagensveld spent the last few decades as the driving force behind the VASA Gallery and a mentor to countless artists. A non-stop arts promoter, she is confident, articulate and never at a loss for words.
Prior to the presentation by Mayor Nolan Crouse, the audience had just watched a short video on Wagensveld’s achievements. But when host Brigitte Ryan applauded and motioned her to the stage, Wagensveld appeared overpowered with emotion.
“I was stuck for words. What was there to say?” she laughed.
On a more sombre plane she added, “I’m 70. For me to receive an award at this time of my life – I really do feel blessed. It’s like a stamp of approval saying, ‘yes, you’re doing your job for the community’ and I’m not done yet.”
Another artist slightly dazed by the evening’s events was Art of Dance founder Sherri Urkow, recipient of Don’s Piano/Petrof Award for Excellence in Arts Teaching.
When Ryan announced that it was the three-time nominee’s birthday, the audience burst into a spontaneous Happy Birthday song that completely took Urkow by surprise.
Later in the lobby she said, “It was such a lovely surprise. I had huge butterflies but I guess it was third time lucky.”
Violinist Lara Hyrak scooped up the Visionary College Award for Youth Artist while tap/jazz dancer Paige Tirs carried home the Visionary Entertainment Award for Emerging Artist.
Folk singer/songwriter/musician Trevor Tchir, a graduate of Ă©cole St. Marguerite d’Youville, received the Established Artist Award, and Heidi Alther was recognized for her passionate promotion of the arts in the Arts Leadership Award.
And finally artistic director Criselda Mierau was on hand to accept the ATB Financial Community Arts Group Award for the long-established St. Albert Singers Guild, a permanent feature of the city’s choral community.
The awards were also interspersed with some of the community’s stellar performing artists. Aly Yusuf, with his deep, rich controlled classical voice opened the evening singing O Canada.
Citie Ballet presented a graceful neoclassical duet while Nancy Watt/Ina Dykstra performed a piano duet of Franz Schubert’s Allegro in A Minor which was passionate, tender and melancholy.
The 24-voiced Pro Coro Chamber Choir introduced a warm-up to their season with three songs and Anna Sewell, Edmonton’s 4th Poet Laureate delivered her poetry while expansively moving her arms and stamping bare feet.
The closing act was Jeff Stuart and the Hearts, a roots-rock band that left audience with an upbeat vibe.
For gala chair Nancy Watt, the ceremony was a success.
“Everyone I talked to loved the variety of performers. In terms of production, things went smoothly and I’m pleased Bridget was on top of her game.”
