February 17, 2017 - The achievements and contributions of local artists, cultural professionals, organizations and businesses were celebrated at the City of Thunder Bay's 7th Annual Arts & Heritage Awards on Thursday evening at Magnus Theatre.

This year's nominees represented a wide spectrum of Thunder Bay's cultural sector from visual arts, theater, film, music and history to cultural business, professionals and supporters. The show was highlighted by performances from Honest Heart Collective, a dance performance by Sarah Brown with music from Matt Sellick and a multidisciplinary finale created especially for the event.

"Arts, culture and heritage play a vital role in our City," said Ash Young, Cultural Development & Events Supervisor. "We realize not only how important supporting our cultural sector is, but also that it essential for us to highlight these very positive contributions that help make Thunder Bay a great place to live."

The awards given to each winner were designed by local artist boyRoland. The design, entitled Growth, was selected through an open competition administered by the City's Public Art Program. This is the first year that the City presented a consistent award for all award categories. The intent is that Growth will become emblematic of the annual event.

Congratulations to all 35 nominees and 15 winners for their amazing contributions to the local creative sector. Thanks are also extended to presenting sponsor Copperfin Credit Union and awards show sponsors Magnus Theatre and CBC Thunder Bay, as well as all of the individual award sponsors.

A complete list of nominees, award winners and award sponsors can be viewed at www.thunderbay.ca/cultureawards 

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Contact: Ash Young, Cultural Development & Events Supervisor - Recreation & Culture Division, 625-2457 or ayoung@thunderbay.ca

FACT SHEET

7th Annual Thunder Bay Arts & Heritage Award Winners

Winners for each of the Thunder Bay Arts & Heritage Awards are listed below by category.

CATEGORY  SPONSOR  WINNER

  • Music - sponsor TBShows.com: Honest Heart Collective
  • Film - sponsor CEDC: Ron Harpelle
  • Visual Arts, sponsor City of Thunder Bay Public Art Committee: Julie Crosgrove
  • Stage Performance, sponsor Magnus: Theatre Colin Stewart
  • Literature, sponsor CBC Thunder Bay: Heather Leighton Dickson
  • Heritage, sponsor WSP: Paul Morralee
  • Cultural Organization, sponsor: They Media Neechee Studio
  • Cultural Venue of the Year, sponsor Copperfin Credit Union: Red Lion Smokehouse
  • Cultural Event of the Year, sponsor City of Thunder Bay Events Advisory Committee: Urban Infill
  • Cultural Professional of the Year, sponsor Copperfin Credit Union: Jason Wellwood
  • Cultural Volunteer of the Year, sponsor Copperfin Credit Union: Donna Patterson
  • Lifetime Achievement, sponsor Weilers Law: Ruth Tye McKenzie
  • Achievement - Built Heritage, sponsor City of Thunder Bay Heritage Advisory Committee: Urban Abbey
  • Achievement - Youth, sponsor CBC Thunder Bay: Riley Yesno

For more information visit: www.thunderbay.ca/cultureawards.

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Contact: Ash Young, Cultural Development & Events Supervisor, 625-2487