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22 Artscene money raised at this event goes to help us placed in a sealed envelope. in everything we do in this community." Nominees were assessed on artistic Twelve Oakville nominees in four cate- merit, artistic message and the work's emogories are up for awards, with the top win- tional impact, originality of concept or ner in each category walking away with idea, innovative use of the medium, and $500. technical execution of the medium. This year's categories and nominees are: Nominations came in the form of videos, · Literary Arts: Alison Baird, Kathy CDs, books and portfolios. Kennedy, Laura K.D. Whittington, who facil"It is going to be magical, it Johnson itated the judging · Media Arts: Laura is going to be a great show process, said it was amazBowker, Lisa Horvath, and it is all Oakville." ing to see the talent that is right here in our own Sean Buckley · Performing Arts: Megan Whittington backyard. "It was an amazing day Alexandra Kane, Charles Executive director with the jurors," she said. Demuynck, Leslie Caitlin Oakville Arts Council Ashworth "We were listening to · Visual Arts: CDs, we were watching Bernadette Oppenheim Duzyk, David J video footage, we were reading through litNewman, Ixchel Suarez erature and looking at art. It was one of my There were 33 entries this year. A panel favourite days since I've been at the arts of four expert judges from outside of council. I can't believe the amount of talent Oakville and a representative of Mayor Rob here in Oakville." Burton's office recently narrowed down the The event will be done in the style of the finalists, with the winner's name being big awards shows, with a red carpet and Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE · WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009 Arts council celebrating local talent with new awards ceremony Stars Among Us Gala scheduled for June 11 By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Arts Council is celebrating the best of the local arts scene with the Stars Among Us Gala on June 11. This is the first year for the awards ceremony, which double as a way to recognize outstanding local talent, as well as raise money and awareness for the arts council. "It is going to be magical, it is going to be a great show and it is all Oakville," said Megan Whittington, executive director of the Oakville Arts Council. "This event showcases the talent we have and as a fundraiser, the money raised is going to the arts council so we can do things like this. Everything we do at the arts council is geared to enabling artistic activity and to advocate why arts are important. The video clips of the nominees. This will be done thanks to assistance from Sheridan College. "The finalists will all be taped," Whittington said. "You know in the Oscars when you see 30-second segments of the movies, we're going to see clips of all the finalists." Besides announcing this year's winners, the Stars Among Us Gala will feature a performance by Canadian music star Susan Aglukark. Musical performances will also be given by father-son rhythm and blues group Prakash and Jordan John, the Oakville Children's Choir, and young classical pianist Annie Zhou from the Canadian Music Competition. The host for the night will be Danny Deakin, a professional actor who regularly appears in community theatre productions. There will also be live and silent auctions, with major items on the block, such as studio time to record an album, dance See Show page 23