The Ottawa Arts Council celebrated local artists, educators and donors at the 2024 Arts Awards presentation.
More than 200 guests watched and the awards were handed out at a gala at the Ottawa Little Theatre.
All of the winners and finalists were selected by a group of art leaders in the community.
“The Ottawa Arts Council plays such a vital role in our community and we are fortunate to have them fostering such a vibrant creative scene,” said Heather Austin-Skaret, a co-managing partner at Mann Lawyers who supported the event.
“We are thrilled to be part of celebrating the Arts Awards and the amazing achievements of such incredibly talented local artists.”
Seven awards were given out in total.
The Victor Tolgesy Award went to Bill Staubi for his contributions to Ottawa’s cultural life which started in 1978 when he purchased five works from a group of emerging artists after helping them hang their show. He has over the years continued to collect art works, promoted artists and their events and mentored and supported artists and groups.
The Peter Honeywell Mid-Career Artist Award was awarded to JUNO winning blues and jazz musician Angelique Francis who also recently hosted the Capital Music Awards. Finalists in this category were visual artist Dominic Laporte, and filmmaker Nicole Blundell.
The Emerging BIPOC Artist Award went to musician Empress Nyiringango who combines jazz, blues and Rwandan music into a musical farm that she calls Jablur. Finalists were musician Ludmylla Reis and spoken word artist MayaSpoken.
The Project X Photography Award went to photo-based artist Olivia Johnston, who is also an art historian. Finalists were Chantal Gervais and Ruth Steinberg.
The Community Arts Educator Award was awarded to Shara Weaver, a co-founder of Propellor Dance, which features performers working in what is known as contemporary integrated dance.
The Corel Endowment for the Arts Award went to the visual artists and urban gardeners Deborah Margo and Annette Hegel, who make up Spectral Weavers. Their work combines support for the environment and technology.
The Young Artist Award went to Tyler Nykilchyk, an interdisciplinary artist who specalizes in photography, filmmaking, drawing, textiles and sculpting.
