Seven Legacy Artist Award winners honoured at Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions
MEDIA RELEASE
March 13, 2019
Hundreds of attendees at sold-out event celebrate the many ways of being an arts champion
(Calgary AB) – The Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions, organized by Calgary Arts Development and the Office of the Mayor, was sold-out for the seventh year in a row. On March 13, 2019, 650 Calgarians from all sectors gathered in the Palomino Room at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park to recognize and celebrate the many ways that they champion the arts in our city.
The event started with a Musical Land Acknowledgement featuring Olivia Tailfeathers and the Grassland Singers, Calgary Arts Development President & CEO Patti Pon, and visual artist Mandy Stobo. Hosted by Dave Kelly, the luncheon featured a conversation with distinguished panelists The Hon. Lois E. Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson; and John Ralston Saul followed by remarks by His Worship Mayor Naheed Nenshi. For an hour before the lunch, youth artists (under age 21) entertained attendees as part of the Calgary Foundation Youth Arts Showcase including musicians, dancers, and visual artists.
Recipients of the Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards were announced through a video featuring interviews with award-winners and sponsors. Each Legacy Award winner receives a $5,000 cash prize, which is funded by a contribution from a local philanthropist or organization with equal matching money from a legacy fund of Calgary 2012. Recipients are selected by a jury of peers. This year’s winners are:
Vivek Shraya – ATB Financial Healing Through the Arts Award
Visionary multidisciplinary artist Vivek Shraya creates films, books, and songs that explore and interrogate the complex effects of racism, homophobia, and transphobia on mental and physical health.
Samuel Obadero – Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award
Samuel Obadero is a skilled lifestyle photographer and a strong new voice for social advocacy in Calgary. His current project, The Forgotten Ones, gives voice to marginalized groups in Calgary through powerful imagery.
Peter Schryvers – Mamdani Arts Leadership Award
Peter Schryvers is the driving force behind the Beltline Urban Murals Project. His work facilitating a dozen stunning murals in the Beltline has inspired and activated the neighbourhood.
Meghann Michalsky – RBC Emerging Artist Award
Meghann Michalsky’s emerging artist record demonstrates her prolific artistic output, her impressive motivation to growth and change, and her determined and productive investment in the Calgary community.
Bethany Yon – Rozsa Foundation Emerging Arts Administrator Award
Bethany Yon has led the transformation of Cowtown Opera from a startup to a professional arts organization in under two years with her passion and talent.
JP Thibodeau – SANDSTONE City Builder Award
JP Thibodeau has a passion for creating theatre magic. He is being recognized for his commitment to bringing the Calgary artistic community together to make vibrant and accessible theatre for young audiences.
George Webber – Doug & Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award
George Webber’s breathtaking photography captures the soul of the prairies. From the haunting rooms of rundown hotels to disintegrating small town storefronts, Webber’s images have been collected around the globe.
More information is available at calgaryartsdevelopment.com/mayors-lunch.
Thank you to Champion Sponsor Strategic Group, Youth Arts Showcase Sponsor Calgary Foundation, and VIP Table Sponsors ATB Financial and Calgary Foundation.
About Calgary Arts Development
As the city’s designated arts development authority, Calgary Arts Development supports and strengthens the arts to benefit all Calgarians. We invest and allocate municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary and leverage these funds to provide additional resources to the arts sector. Our programs support hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists, artist collectives, and ad hoc groups in Calgary.
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Further Information
Helen Moore-Parkhouse
Director, Communications and Engagement, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: (office) 403.264.5330 ext. 102; (mobile) 587.227.0150
Email: helen.moore-parkhouse@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
