Cathy Busby: Outstanding Year

Cathy Busby receives the 2008 Outstanding Year Award. This award celebrates a visual artist who has enjoyed an exceptional year, with much artistic growth, at least one exhibition and critical recognition. Cathy Busby’s conceptually-based practice responds to the socio-political tensions inherent in everyday life. She lives and works in Halifax, with frequent international travel for residencies and exhibitions. Over the past year, Busby has had solo exhibitions on four continents. In the fall of 2007, her collection of Halifax neighbourhood posters was the basis of The North End at Toronto ’s Art Metropole. The same work had been shown earlier in a different configuration in Berlin. During a residency at the Pickled Art Centre in Beijing , she documented English-language messages on t-shirts that she saw on the streets, resulting in Whatever I Like. The updated version of an exhibition on public apologies, first shown at Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery, Sorry, was presented at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, as a part of parallel programming, during the Sydney Biennale.

Heather Horsfall: Art Educator of the Year
The 2008 Art Educator of the Year was Heather Horsfall. This award celebrates an individual who demonstrates an exceptional contribution and commitment to arts education. Heather is an Art Teacher at Halifax West High School and has been directly involved in teaching Visual Art for 28 years. One of the most notable projects Heather initiated was the creation of a large- scale mural mounted in the entrance to the school. With 25 young artists, they set out to depict the culturally rich community they live in, drawing school and community together. Heather “is an exceptional art educator whose passion and impact are widespread – reaching students, school and community”.

David Harper: Mayor’s Emerging Artist of the Year
David Harper, Left to right: Shadow Puppetry (Goat), When the Rain Comes, and Fox
With Mayor Peter Kelly present, David Harper received the Mayor’s Emerging Artist Award. This award recognizes an emerging artist who, in the early stages of his career, demonstrates exceptional talent and accomplishments as well as a unique artistic expression and a commitment to the arts in the Halifax Regional Municipality . Graduating from NSCAD University in April 2007, David has already achieved an impressive CV and his artwork is earning increasing attention. His work addresses aspects of national identity, mythology and personal experience. David was most recently featured in the Dalhousie Art Gallery ’s exhibition, Exalted Beings: Animal Relationships. He is scheduled for one person exhibitions at Stride Gallery, Calgary , and at the ODD Gallery, Dawson City in 2009.  He has also been selected Artist in Residence at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

2008 VANS Honour Roll

• Mary Elizabeth Luka – CBC Artspots
• Annapolis Region Communty Arts Council
• Roger Savage