An evening of elegantly dressed community members, families, and supporters attended the 11th annual Prince Albert Arts Hall of Fame Gala at the E.A Rawlinson Friday evening to celebrate the induction of four individuals who made an impact within the city’s arts industry.
Accompanied by cocktails, dinner, and social gathering, attendees celebrated inductees musician and guitarists Jean-Laurent Fournier and Rodney Janzen, Mann Art Gallery curator Jesse Campbell, and the late artist and poet, Kathie Bird.
“Lots of people don’t realize how great we are here in Prince Albert, so it’s really important because PA has a very vibrant arts community and people need to be recognized for their works and achievements that they’ve done,” said Elliot Byers, the Prince Albert Arts Board’s treasurer. “It’s very important that we let people know how awesome they are.”
Carolyn Carleton, Mann Art Gallery’s administrative director, was in attendance to show support for Jesse Campbell.
“We are just so very proud of all of her accomplishments and happy to support her,” she said.
Campbell has been inducted into the builder category, recognized for her years of curatorial work with the Mann Art Gallery, as well as pioneering creative projects with artists, organizations, and municipalities throughout Saskatchewan.
“We didn’t think it was going to be so emotional. We were all getting teary-eyed thinking about her contributions that she’s given to the arts community in Prince Albert,” said Carleton. “She is so giving. She’s such a talented individual.”
Along with the Mann Art Gallery team showing their support for Campbell, family members and friends gave speeches about their inducted loved ones as well as a video created by Big Drum Media, that featured interviews from those who knew the inductees.
To honour late artist and poet Kathie Bird, Cathy Worobetz, offered heartfelt words about her late friend.
“It was a true honour to be asked by Kathie’s family to present a speech about her. Big Drum Media also created a beautiful video montage featuring interviews with people who spoke about her remarkable work, and importantly, the person she was,” said Worobetz. “Again and again, people spoke about her gentle, calm nature, and the warmth she brought to those around her. It was a beautiful tribute to a truly special woman, and I feel grateful to have been part of such a meaningful evening.”
As the night continued, inductee and musician Jean-Laurent Fournier, emphasized—in his speech—that no other thing can give you satisfaction as much as music does.
“There is no medium between you and the sound. If you want your children to be the best that they can be, they have to do it themselves,” he said. “You’ve got to get away from letting a machine do it for them.”
Byers added that, “people really do care about the arts community here in PA.”
“I hope to get more and more people out there and to recognize the contributions of the artists we have here in Prince Albert, sharing their art, and getting more people to be able to do art,” he said. “I want to see everyone have the opportunity.”
To close off the inductions, local singer-songwriter, Donny Parenteau, gave his congratulations to his friend, and fellow guitarist and musician, Rodney Janzen.
Janzen, now a Nashville-based artist, has been recognized as an individual who has made contributions to the local music scene through his long-term guitar work in various genres such as jazz, blues, rock, and country.
Concluding the ceremony, Adreanna Gareau, Chair of the Prince Albert Arts Board, ended the night with a speech, thanking attending community members, families, and most especially, the inductees for their contributions.
“It’s so moving, and I really feel like we’re here because the arts are such a thriving heartbeat city, and there’s always people who recognize that,” she said. “We’re more than a hockey town. We can be so many things. I just want to thank everyone for being here. By loving and supporting the artists in your lives, and by just being here and celebrating together, you’re making the world a better place.”
The Prince Albert Arts Hall honours local individuals and groups who have made a significant, long-lasting impact within the arts and culture in the region.
