HALIFAX — Blacksmith and sculptor John Little and Mi’kmaq artist Ursula Johnson were the big winners at the 14th annual Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala held Saturday in Halifax.
Little, of East Dover, N.S., received the $25,000 Portia White Prize, which recognizes cultural and artistic excellence.
The prize includes $18,000 to the artist and a $7,000 protege prize to be donated to an emerging artist or a supportive institution, which Little awarded to the Halifax Music Co-op.
Johnson, of Eskasoni, N.S., won the $25,000 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award for her work entitled Moose Fence.
Arielle Twist of Halifax also won the Indigenous artist award.
The gala is held by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.
Awards worth $95,000 were announced at the event.
“We are home to a thriving arts and culture community,” Leo Glavine, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage said in a news release.
“It’s important we recognize our local artists for their achievements both here at home and on the world stage.’’
Other artists honoured Saturday included Daniel LeBlanc of Digby, N.S., who won the Prix Grand-Pre and Carol Bruneau and Ariella Pahlke, both of Halifax, who were recognized as established artists.
Amy Brandon, Raven Davis and Lindsay Dobbin, all from Halifax, were recognized as emerging artists.
The Creative Community Impact Award went to Bus Stop Theatre of Halifax.
