The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce the recipients of the ninth annual Cultural Awards, following the awards ceremony held today at the Bayshore Community Centre. Eight awards were handed out to recipients from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds while guests were also treated to an afternoon of delightful entertainment from Sandcastle Theatre, and Owen Sound's Poet Laureate Lauren Best.

This year's Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Stephen Hogbin, who has spent his life as an artist, a designer, a curator, an author, a teacher, an inventor and a mentor. On-site scenic painter Chris Morton took home the award for Emerging Artist, as well as the $500 cash prize for his ability to capture a moment in time while painting local natural landscapes. The Outstanding Individual award went to Steve Ritchie, who is a freelance announcer and producer for AM 560 CFOS and the Outstanding Group award was presented to Georgian Bay Symphony for being a longtime leader and influencer to musicians of all ages.

Other recipients included: the 42nd Annual Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival, which won the Outstanding Event award; the Awesome Sydenham Riverfest Extravaganza, which won the Most Promising New Event award; Maryann Thomas, who won the Cultural Heritage award; and Michael Warren, who won the Cultural Catalyst award.

The Owen Sound Cultural Awards are presented annually by the City of Owen Sound. Individual award sponsors include Kongats Architects, Zehrs, Mix 106.5, the Owen Sound Sun Times and Wall-Tech Drywall. All award winners received a custom-made marquetry box inspired by Tom Thomson's landscapes and handcrafted by artist Diane Edwards.

The following are the nominees and recipients for the 2018 Owen Sound Cultural Awards, as described in the preceding media release. The award recipients are in bolded print.

OUTSTANDING GROUP
Georgian Bay Symphony
LookUp Theatre

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL
Matt Epp
Stephen J. Hogbin
Wil McReynolds
Steve Ritchie

OUTSTANDING EVENT
Scenic City Film Festival

Festival of Northern Lights
42nd Annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival

MOST PROMISING NEW EVENT
Awesome Sydenham Riverfest Extravaganza

CULTURAL HERITAGE
Maryann Thomas

CULTURAL CATALYST
Georgian Bay Roots Radio Show
R. Michael Warren
Janice Elaine Chamberlain

EMERGING ARTIST
Chris Morton
Morgan Barrie

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT (Appointed by Awards Jury)
Stephen Hogbin

source: media release, City of Owen Sound