CAO Arts Awards Recipients Announced at Awards Lunch

The Council for the Arts in Ottawa presented the much-anticipated CAO Arts Awards Lunch in the elegant venue of the Chateau Laurier Ballroom. RBC Financial is the Founding Partner for this invitation-only event, where recipients were announced for three prestigious awards. More than 250 artists, arts patrons, business leaders, politicians and cultural staff were in attendance to celebrate and recognize outstanding contributions to the arts in the Ottawa area.

The CAO worked with RBC Financial to establish the RBC Emerging Artist Award in Ottawa. They generously provided $5,000 for the finalist and $1,000 each for the two short listed finalists.

Mann and Partners LLP have joined GGFL LLP in substantially increasing the cash prizes associated with the CAO Mid-Career Artist Award providing a $5,000 cash prize for the CAO Mid-Career Artists Award recipient and $1,000 each for the two short listed finalists. This award was established three years ago to encourage artists who had advanced beyond the emerging stage of their careers.

The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award was inaugurated in 1987 by the City of Ottawa and the CAO to recognize the accomplishments of residents who have contributed substantially to enriching cultural life in the city. To date, 20 individuals have received this award. In addition to a cash prize of $5,000, the recipient will receive a special bronze casting of the 1963 work by Victor Tolgesy titled "Seed and Flower".

The three finalists for each award were announced at the CAO Sweetheart Cocktail for the Arts on February 11 at Ottawa City Hall.

Award Finalists

Victor Tolgesy Arts Award:

• John Koensgen - Theatre Actor, Director, Teacher and Mentor
• John Sadler - Visual Artist, Teacher and Mentor
• Christine Tremblay - Executive Director of Arts Ottawa East

Award Recipient
Christine Tremblay

CAO Mid-Career Artist Award:

• Karen Bailey - Visual Artist
• Michèle Provost - Visual Artist
• Michael Sasso - Music Composer, Performer and Producer

Award Recipient
Michèle Provost

RBC Emerging Artist Award:

• Patrick Gauthier - Theatre Director
• Jonathan Hobin - Art Director and Photographer
• Andrew Morrow - Painter

Award Recipient
Patrick Gauthier

The CAO would like to thank the RBC Foundation, Mann and Partners LLP, GGFL LLP, Ferguslea Properties Ltd. and The Ottawa Citzen.

Photographers: Zoë Ashby, Adam Gibbard, Talhia McNeil
and Ben Murray