The Arts

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Leaders in city's arts saluted

By: Katherine Dow

Posted: 06/16/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Mayor Sam Katz with award winners (from left) Leslie Supnet, Michael Dumontier, José Koes and Holly McNally. Larry Desrochers, who also won an award, was not present. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

The honoured

2012 Winnipeg Arts Council Award Winners

RBC On the Rise: Leslie Supnet

Nominated by MAWA & Negative Space

Making a Mark: Michael Dumontier

Nominated by Plug In ICA

Making a Difference: Larry Desrochers

Nominated by Dave Barber

Arts Champion: McNally Robinson Booksellers

Nominated by the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival

Making a Difference Award for outstanding Volunteer: José Koes

Nominated by the Winnipeg Art Gallery

A museum volunteer, a filmmaker, an artist, an administrator and a bookstore -- this unlikely lot form the five recipients of this year's Winnipeg Arts Council Awards.

The awards were doled out Friday at the 2012 Mayor's Lunch for the Arts. Mayor Sam Katz presented five awards to individuals and organizations that serve Winnipeg's artistic community with distinction.

"The realities are, the arts make our city a better place to live, to work, to play and to invest in. And everyone in this room knows that there are still those who don't get it, and it's up to all of us to make sure that we are patient and we are persistent in enlightening them what the arts truly does for the community and the stature it gives us," Katz said.

Dutch-born art lover José Koes has volunteered for 31 years at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The former Air Canada flight attendant received the Making a Difference Award for Outstanding Volunteer.

Koes began her volunteer work with the WAG in 1981, giving guided tours to schoolchildren. She's been volunteering for the WAG ever since.

"It's a wonderful feeling, especially in the volunteer world, to feel that you are recognized and that you do make a difference. That's really an honour," said Koes.

Michael Dumontier, an artist and founding member of the Royal Art Lodge, received the Making a Mark Award. The mild-mannered painter was too shy to speak after receiving his award.

"I was just so surprised. Seeing that list of other nominees, with people who have done such important work. I don't feel like I deserved it," Dumontier joked after the ceremony.

Leslie Supnet, a local filmmaker, was the recipient of the RBC on the Rise Award. She plans to put her $2,500 in award money to practical use. "Maybe some new software for animating or some art supplies," said Supnet, clutching her award.

Joining the ranks of the Winnipeg Foundation and Assiniboine Credit Union as winners of the Arts Champion Award is McNally Robinson Booksellers. The local store hosts frequent author readings in their Grant Avenue store.

Larry Desrochers. general director and CEO of Manitoba Opera, was recognized for his outstanding work in pioneering the creation of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

The event was hosted by local sketch comedy troupe Hot Thespian Action, who kicked off the luncheon with a parody news sketch that poked fun at arts-funding naysayers. The troupe has just been nominated for their second Canadian Comedy Award.

"I was debating with myself which part I enjoyed more. How they basically mimicked the comments I hear from people in the general public or sometimes elected officials. Or more so, which I really enjoyed, how they basically pointed out to us how the media just knows everything," Katz joked.

katherine.dow@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 16, 2012 A13

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