The Winter Festival of Art officially opened at the Art Gallery of Algoma at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020.
Dignitaries opening the exhibition were Mark A. Lepore, President of the AGA Board, Jasmina Jovanovic, Executive Director, the Honorable Ross Romano, Sault Ste. Marie MPP and Minister of Colleges and Universities, and the Honorable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture. All spoke and distributed awards. Jasmina and Ross Romano thanked Society member Nora Ann Harrison for being the initiator of the Winter Festival of Art and providing the awards for the previous six years.
Prizes this year are sponsored by David Ellis, Member of the AGA Board.
Also speaking and presenting an award was Algoma Art Society president Rutger Becker, who talked about the Art Society's connection to the NOAA, benefits of being a member and the Society's proud past connection to the Group of Seven. Rutger then presented an Algoma Art Society Award, in honour of recently deceased member Nancy Caldwell, to the artist chosen for having the Most Innovative Piece of art work at the exhibition. Winner Penny Gabor was presented with a cheque for $50.00 along with a free membership to the Algoma Art Society until September 2020.
Members of the Algoma Art Society can be very proud of the number of awards they received. Member Zoey Wood-Salomon received second prize and top prize at the exhibition went to member Theresa Baic. Members Pat Caldwell, Cheryl Thomas and Darlene Robb all received Honorable Mentions. Ken Hagerman's young granddaughter also very proudly received a Participation Award.
https://algomaartsociety.ca/inspiring-stories-and-more/235-opening-reception-7th-annual-winter-festival-of-art-2020#sigProId4e390ccd8f