Abby and Ella Hanson: Evenings @ Government House

Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipients Ella and Abby Hanson will give a traditional Gaelic music performance that will include the fiddle, piano and step-dancing for Evenings @ Government House. They will be accompanied on piano by Kolten MacDonell.

These are free public events and are open to the public. All events commence at 7:00pm and doors open to the public at 6:30pm. Guests must be seated by 6:50pm.

 

Government House will follow the prevailing health and safety regulations as they pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic and the following measures will be implemented:

• Guests will be required to wear masks and social distance while inside Government House.
• There will be no reception following the presentations.
• Seating will be limited to 25.

 

Registration will open two weeks before each presentation. Registration will close on the Thursday before the presentation. Up to 25 names will be randomly drawn and those chosen will be notified by the Friday before the presentation. Given that seating is limited, guests may reserve a maximum of two seats per registration. One registration per party only please (names drawn with an accompanying guest will be allocated two seats).

 

People wishing to attend MUST register by calling 902-424-7001 or by visiting the Evenings @ Government House section under News & Events on the official website at: https://lt.gov.ns.ca/news-events/evenings-government-house or by emailing LGOffice@novascotia.ca

 

This event will be live-streamed on the Lieutenant Governor's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/359053995929407?active_tab=about)

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Symbiosis - Collective Dreaming and World Building

Running September 23, 2021 through November 7, 2021 the Mary E. Black Gallery will feature a curated exhibition, Symbiosis, of collaborative works by members of Craft Nova Scotia. 

 

This show features many past Talent Trust scholarship recipients:

- Brendt Eisner

- Shauna MacLeod

- Carley Mullally: winner of the 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award in 2016

- Sienna Maeba

- Jessie McLaughlin: winner of the  Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/VANS Award  in 2019 

 

About the show:

 

Symbiosis - Collective Dreaming and World Building

A curated exhibition of collaborative works by members of Craft Nova Scotia

 

EXHIBITION
September 23 to November 7, 2021

 

VIRTUAL OPENING RECEPTION:
September 23 at 6:30pm
On @craftnovascotia Facebook Live

 

Mary E. Black Gallery
Centre for Craft Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm
 

FREE ADMISSION

 

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today!  (smile)

 

 

Celebrate Talent Trust's 2021 Scholarship Recipients

The NS Talent Trust Continues to Invest in 

Aspiring Nova Scotian Artists. 

Having finished its scholarship selection process, the NS Talent Trust has awarded scholarships to 55 emerging Nova Scotian artists in dance, music, theatre, circus arts, literary arts, and visual arts coming from all over the province. 
 
This year's Talent Trust recipients come from Windsor Junction, Lower Sackville, Middle Sackville, Hammonds Plains, Truro, Montague Gold Mines, Upper Tantallon, Wolfville, Derbert, New Glasgow, Millville, Sydney, Canning, Upper Kennetcook, Conquerall Mills, Timberlea, Glace Bay, Hants Port as well as Bedford, Dartmouth and Halifax. These aspiring artists have proven their commitment to their art by adapting through the uncertain times of a global pandemic by adjusting and changing their programs and studying virtually. Recipients attended online programs all over the world, from the United States to the UK to Spain.
 
Through their residencies, mentorships, and schooling, NSTT scholarship recipients inevitably promote Nova Scotia's cultural relevance by studying in some of the best institutions worldwide. Like Portia White herself, the original catalyst for the organization's formation, recipients sometimes become world-renowned. Think Jane Archibald, Bretten Hannam, and George Elliott Clarke. Since Portia's impetus in 1944, the Talent Trust has distributed over 2.5 million dollars in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients. 

The independent, volunteer Scholarship Selection Committees, made up of twelve professional artists, two from each discipline, obviously recognize the artistic skill and look for lasting commitment signs. The artist's life has more than its fair share of challenges, and for the NSTT, dedication to professional achievement is as essential as artistic potential. Since the province is overflowing with talent, the decisions are never easy. 
 
This year's 67 successful scholarships were chosen from a field of 129 applications over two submission periods, 1 March and 1 May 2021. Five of the 67 scholarships are supported by the NS Arts Endowment Fund of $2,000 each. They are Katrina Ouellette for Dance, Spencer MacKay for Film, Jacob MacDonald for Music, Emily O'Leary for Theatre, and Hannah Craig for Visual Arts.

The new CN Halifax Community Board scholarship of $1,000 goes to Reva Bhardwaj who studies film in Vancouver. 

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust's scholarships totaled $71,000 in 2021, which is only possible through various generous grants and individual donations. We thank our individual donors, the Craig Foundation, the RBC Foundation, CN Halifax Community Board, and Arts Nova Scotia for their support during this special time. 

More than ever, have we realized over the last couple of months how much the arts and the individual artists help us to stay mentally healthy. Nova Scotia artists supported us in the darkest days with their talent and generosity. Let's celebrate the 2021 Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipients, which signify our cultural future. 
 
Below is the complete 2021 list of Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipients.

List of the 2021 Talent Trust Scholarship Recipients including the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship, and CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship Recipients

CIRCUS ARTS RECIPIENT
Juggling

• Luca Haase, Conquerall Mills

DANCE RECIPIENTS
Ballet

• Sahara Nyathi, Halifax
• Maggie Oates-Johnson, Dartmouth
• Katrina Ouellette, Middle Sackville, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship
• Emma Purdy, Debert
• Aidan Vaudreuil-Wakeham, Lower Sackville

Ballet/Contemporary

• Julia Barkhouse, Dartmouth
• Sienna Nyathi, Halifax

Bharathanatyam

• Priyadarshini Satheesh, Halifax

Contemporary

• Minuet Charron, Halifax
• Stan Tonin, Windsor Junction
• Gabrielle Trudel, Timberlea

FILM
Film Production

• Reva Bhardwaj, Dartmouth, CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship

Producing, Writing, Directing

• Spencer MacKay, Windsor Junction, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship

LITERARY ARTS RECIPIENTS
Creative Essay

• K.R. Byggdin, Halifax

Creative Nonfiction

• Peggy Walt, Halifax

Short Fiction/Poetry

• Sidney Robichaud, Halifax,

MUSIC RECIPIENTS
Brass – Euphonium

• Ross Macintosh, Truro

Brass – Trumpet

• Shaw Nicholson, Halifax

Composition

• Kayleigh James, Halifax
• Jessica MacIsaac, Halifax

Gaelic Culture/Fiddle

• Abby Hanson, Montague Gold Mines
• Ella Hanson, Montague Gold Mines

Keyboard – Organ

• Gabriel O'Brien, Halifax

Keyboard – Piano

• Sherry Chen, Hammonds Plains
• Natalia Comeau, Hammonds Plains
• Devin Huang, Bedford
• Lala Lee, Halifax
• Carmen Peng, Wolfville
• Chantal Peng, Wolfville
• Alex Yang, Bedford

Percussion/Drumkit

• Lucas Goudie, Halifax

Strings – Cello

• Jacob MacDonald, Upper Kennetcook, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship

Strings – Violin

• Kelvin Mansaray, Halifax

Voice - Opera

• Rhian Merritt, Upper Tantallon
• Natalie Mitchell, Halifax
• Nicole Ross, New Glasgow
• Abigail Sinclair, Halifax
• Shanice Skinner, New Glasgow
• Connie Young, Halifax

THEATRE RECIPIENTS
Acting

• Kevin Munroe, Sydney

Musical Theatre

• Ryan MacDougall, Hammonds Plains
• Deanna Mann, New Glasgow
• Emily O’Leary, Glace Bay, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship
• Jillian Peters, Dartmouth

VISUAL/FINE ARTS RECIPIENTS
Architecture

• Charles Bourne, Halifax

Digital Media, Digital Illustration 

• Leena Elkhatteeb , Bedford

Drawing, Textiles

• Madeleine West, Halifax

Expanded Painting, Art History

• Excel Garay, Halifax

Fine Arts

• Olivia Haill, Halifax

Interdisciplinary/Computation Arts

• Jonah McKay, Canning

Jewellery, Hollowware

• Hannah Craig, Halifax, NS Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship

Painting

• Anna Syme, Hantsport

Portraiture

• Kaya Panthier, Halifax

Sculpture/Illustration

• Ada Denil, Halifax

 

 

CN Halifax Community Board believes in the future of Nova Scotia Artists

Supporting Nova Scotia students on their way to pursue an artistic career is a joy and privilege. Also, partnering with an international corporation like CN through the CN Halifax Community Board for an annual named scholarship is an honour. 

“The Nova Scotia Talent Trust 

highlights exceptional commitments for Nova Scotians to become established artists. The CN Halifax Community Board is honoured to support these scholarships for emerging NS artists with a focus on supporting people and arts, a core principle not only of our board but also a corporate philosophy at CN," states Alan Abraham, Chair, CN Community Board

It is with excitement the Nova Scotia Talent Trust announces the CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship. In spring 2021, CN Halifax Community Board approved a grant of $25,000, which has been invested throuand will support the named scholarship for years to come. 

“The investment in our next generation of Nova Scotia’s artists will enhance and further our cultural landscape. Not only will the monetary support help our scholarship recipients pay for their studies, but it also reaffirms their hard work to become established artists in their discipline. We thank the CN Halifax Community Board for believing in our Nova Scotia artists,” says NSTT Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler. 

The annual CN Halifax Community Board Scholarship of $1,000 will be presented annually to a scholarship recipient who shows exceptional commitment and professional potential as an artist. The first recipient selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee of the NSTT will be announced on September 15, 2021. 

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 19,500-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

About Nova Scotia Talent Trust

Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. In 2019, the Talent Trust celebrated its 75th anniversary year featuring former scholarship recipients with a travelling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, dance, film screenings and more.  

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

 

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

FIN Opening Night for Bretten Hannam and Gharrett Paon!

Congratulations to former Talent Trust scholarship recipients Bretten Hannam (writer and director) and Gharrett Paon (producer) for having their film WILDHOOD selected as the Opening Night Gala Film for FIN 2021!

Gharrett was the winner of both the Shelagh MacKenzie Award and the 2011 Canada Game Young Artist of Excellent Award in 2017.

From the FIN Press Release: 

We have selected WILDHOOD - written and directed by Two-Spirit L’nu filmmaker raised in Kespukwitk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, NS) Bretten Hannam - as our 2021 Opening Night Gala Film on September 16! 

When Link discovers his Mi'kmaw mother is still alive, he runs away from home with his younger brother Travis in a desperate gamble to start a new life. They're soon joined by Pasmay, a pow wow dancer drawn to Link’s story. Together they embark on a Two-Spirit odyssey, reconnecting with culture and the territory of Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia, while trying to find Link’s mother, Sarah. 

OPENING NIGHT GALA: 

WILDHOOD, Bretten Hannam, Canada, NS (100:00)*** Thursday, September 16, 7:00PM – Cineplex Park Lane Theatre 8 Thursday, September 16, 7:30PM – Cineplex Park Lane Theatre 4

FIN STREAM: Access Dates: September 16, 7:00PM – September 17, 6:59PM

On-Demand Duration: 24 hours (viewer must start streaming during Access Dates) 

WILDHOOD (MI’KMAQ LANGUAGE VERSION), Bretten Hannam, Canada, NS (100:00)*** Saturday, September 18, 2:00PM – Cineplex Park Lane Theatre 1

FIN STREAM: Access Dates: September 16, 1:00AM – September 23, 11:59PM

On-Demand Duration: 24 hours (viewer must start streaming during Access Dates

FIN Atlantic International Film Festival and FIN Stream - taking place September 16-23, 2021. Featuring 158 films, 87 in-cinema screenings and 28 online screenings, the festival will be presented in Halifax, Nova Scotia at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane and it will be accessible virtually online throughout Atlantic Canada.

View the FIN 2021 Film Listing here. 

More about Bretten Hannam (they/them) can be found on their website: http://www.bretthannam.com/about 

 

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

 

(Bretten Hannam photo credit: Jack Leahy)