Local citizens honoured for their contributions to the arts

Arts Alive recently held its Arts Awards presentation in the Gallery of the Halton Hills Cultural Centre.

The event was at the end of a 10-day celebration of the 25th anniversary of the cultural centre.

Arts Alive is a small committee of volunteers dedicated to promoting the arts in Halton Hills and have, over the past 20 years, sponsored a variety of entertainment in the John Elliott Theatre and in the Gallery. All proceeds have been used to improve the facilities at the Cultural Centre.

Every five years, the committee presents cast bronze medallions to citizens who have made significant contributions to the arts and their names appear in on a plaque in the foyer of the centre. This year's recipients were as follows:

* Marg and Fred Helson were given the Patron of the Arts Award in recognition of their support of artistic activities through their continued financial support.

* Cat Heaven received the Kenneth R. Harrison Award for Encouragement of Youth in the Arts in recognition of the fact that she has worked extensively with Halton Hills youth and acts as a mentor for the artistic endeavours of young people.

* Margaret Eggleton-Kaye received The Ralph Ursel Award for Volunteerism in the Arts for the extensive work she has done in a variety of artistic activities.

* Nanci and Mark Llewellyn were given a medallion for their contribution to the Performing Arts in Halton Hills. Well-known actors and singers, they met while performing in Globe musical productions. They hurried to the ceremony straight from rehearsal in order to receive their award.

Tizi Manierka receiv-ed her award for Contributions to the Visual Arts in recognition of her excellence in that field and for the voluntary contributions.

Lois Fraser, the chairman of the Arts Alive committee presented the awards.

Mayor Rick Bonnette gave a short address in which he praised the recipients and the committee, as well as welcoming many people who had come to the reception to renew old friendships and talk over the heady days when the Cultural Centre was still on the drawing board. The attendees enjoyed the music of harp and flute duo, Variante, in the beautifully decorated Gallery, while sampling refreshments provided by the Arts Alive committee.