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Le Petit Cercle, a Dalhousie architectural project in Cape Breton, has won the provinceÕs inaugural Masterwork Award. The innovative childrenÕs amphitheatre received the $25,000 prize at the Creative Nova Scotia Awards gala on Oct. 19 in Pictou.
One of the top cultural awards in Nova Scotia, the Masterwork was initiated by Myra Freeman during her term as lieutenant governor. Dalhousie music professor Peter Allen was also among the five award finalists, for his Variations on The Halifax Explosion for Orchestra, composed for the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra.
The new annual award recognizes artistic achievements that challenge and inspire Nova Scotians to be more involved in their communities, and Le Petit Cercle beautifully captures that spirit, organizers explained.
ÒItÕs truly remarkable for engaging the whole community of ChŽticamp in the artistic and creative process, leaving a lasting legacy for the Cape Breton Acadian community,” said Ron Bourgeois, vice-chair of the Nova Scotia Arts Awards Foundation.
Jury members remarked the bold design Òreflects the natural stark beauty, romance and human activity in this area of Cape Breton. The work represents a permanent, visible source of pride for the local community and the entire province, which will continue to be an inspiration for other artists.”
Dal professors Ted Cavanagh and Roger Mullin accepted the prize on behalf of colleagues Richard Kroeker, Alden Neufeld and 23 designer/builders of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. The team plans to invest the award in a special foundation to support further development and manage the ongoing needs of the outdoor theatre.
Designed and constructed during the summer of 2004, Le Petit Cercle launched as a performance venue for Nova Scotia's celebration of 400 years of French settlement in Canada. It has received several prestigious national and international awards.
ÒItÕs a great thing that theyÕre going to reinvest in the community,” said Mr. Bourgeois, who presented the award along with John Oliver, regional senior vice-president of Scotiabank, the MasterworkÕs major sponsor. Other sponsors are The Craig Foundation and the provincial tourism, culture and heritage department.
The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, conveyed hearty congratulations to all five outstanding finalists.
Prof. Allen received $500 and a plaque crafted by NSCAD University ceramist Doug Bamford. The jury said the Òsubstantial and explosive” orchestral composition Òrepresents a superb means of communicating an historic event to the next generation. ItÕs a masterwork that could be performed and have life in any symphonic concert hall in the world.”
Other finalists were Spirits of Coora Road, a tapestry by Lorna Ramlochansingh; To Find Us: Words and Images of Halifax, an anthology edited by Sue MacLeod; and Wave over Wave, an audio installation by Rita McKeough.
For more details about the Masterwork, please see www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/lgawards.