The City presented the seventh annual Owen Sound Cultural Awards today at a ceremony held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Eight awards were handed out to recipients ranging in age from 17 to 83. Near the end of the ceremony, the audience stood and cheered as music and broadcasting legend Alfie Fromager received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The youngest recipient was musician and band leader Nolan Murphy, who received the Emerging Artist Award, the only award that includes a $500 cash prize. Nolan is deputy bandmaster and assistant conductor with the City Band, he has led the City Band brass quintet, played in the pit band for 'Brigadoon' at the Roxy Theatre, conducts the St. George's Anglican Church ensemble, and is active with the Georgian Sound Big Band in Collingwood.
Two Cultural Heritage Awards were presented to researcher/writer George Auer for his book Soldiers of the Soil, and to Harmony Centre Owen Sound for its successful preservation and re-purposing of the former Knox United Church.
Other recipients included: the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op (Outstanding Group), actor and long-time Little Theatre member Bill Murphy (Outstanding Individual), choir director Louise Jarvis (Cultural Catalyst), and Pratie Oaten Irish Festival at Grey Roots (Outstanding Event).
The Owen Sound Cultural Awards are presented each February by the City of Owen Sound as part of its Cultural Master Plan. Individual award sponsors include The Alliance of Kirby, Robinson, Treslan, and Brian Barrie, Investors Group, Mix 106.5, and the Owen Sound Sun Times. All award winners received a custom-made marquetry box handcrafted by artist Diane Edwards (Mythago Wood Marquetry).
The full list of award nominees and recipients may be found online
