Arts Awards Winners 2011

Excellence in the Arts: Curley Bridges

Curley Bridges is the last of the great bluesmen of the Twentieth Century. Mr. Bridge’s career began with the original Motley Crew, an early blues band of the 1940’s after his release from service in the United States military. Along with Motley Crew alumnus King Herbert and drummer Frank Pelly, Curley later formed a trio called the Rounders, which mainly toured northern playing a funky style of music. In 1968 Bridges played organ for 's album, Jackie Shane Live! Also about that time, he established his own band called Bridge Crossing, which he fronted on vocals and organ. In 1972, Bridge Crossing collaborated with Frank Motley to record a funky, jazz-tinged LP entitled Chip Dip for the Paragon label. Over the years Curley has kept busy with a succession of bands then, in 1981 when he tired of the big city he moved north to Barrie, Ontario. Since then he has concentrated on solo gigs, delighting area audiences with his mix of jump, jive and down-and-dirty blues. This blues and R & B titan was the hit attraction at 's Harbourfront Soul 'n' Blues Festival in 1997.

Contribution to the Community: Carla Tucker

After completing her undergraduate degree at McMaster University, Carla was accepted into York University’s Education program where she specialized in Fine Arts integration. Currently Carla is an elementary school teacher with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, as well as a dance educator and choreographer in Simcoe County and York Region. Carla is a registered teacher with the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association, the Imperial Society of Dancing and the Royal Academy of Dance and she has achieved standards with each of these organizations in the disciplines of Jazz, Modern Theatre, Tap and Ballet. Carla has been teaching dance in Barrie for over 20 years and she has choreographed many musicals including Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, BIG, the Musical,(where she received the THEA award for the best choreographer), Jesus Christ Superstar and Seussical the Musical. Carla works closely with many local theatre companies including Theatre by the Bay’s young company and the Kempenfelt Community Players, all the while running her own performance art and education centre, Moving Art.

Business Award: Scott Elliott

Scott Elliott is the owner and CEO of the Sarjeant Company Ltd., Sarjeant Asphalt and Custom Concrete (Northern). Scott has been the lead supporter for the MacLaren Art Centre’s VanGo programme for many years, ensuring that the gallery’s signature outreach education programme in the local schools continues to thrive. With Scott’s support the MacLaren brings professional artists into local and regional schools for hand-on art-making workshops in the class. In the 2010/11 school year more than 8,500 school students participated in VanGo. A new initiative, the Sarjeant Design Project was launched last spring and strengthens Scott’s commitment to the creative talents of young people in the community. For some time Scott has seen the potential for using his fleet of concrete trucks as a canvas for student artworks and with his vision in mind the MacLaren saw an opportunity to develop this exciting mobile public art initiative. Scott’s generosity and vision for the community extends far beyond the wall of the MacLaren as he has been an active supporter of many other community organizations and arts organizations such as Talk is Free Theatre.

Most Promising Youth: Abigail Johnson

Abigail’s music teacher, Cheryl Graham nominated her for this award and in her letter she wrote, “ I have been teaching piano for over 30 years and Abigail’s accomplishments far exceed the norm”. At the ripe old age of 16 Abigail completed her RC Grade 10 Piano examination with a First Class Honours mark of 88%. She also completed her RCM Elementary Piano Pedagogy and her RCM Grade 8 Flute. Abigail was Runner Up in the 2011 Ontario Music Teachers Provincials in Grade 10 piano, competing against 32 competitors from across the province. Ms. Johnson was the winner of many top senior awards and scholarships at local festivals, for example 2011 Winner of Barrie Branch ORMTA Competition, 2011 Winner of ORMTA Zone level and the 2011 Winner of the Ester Su Memorial for the Most Promising Student at the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Provincial Competition. Not only is she a gifted musician but Abigail is a teacher, that volunteers for several organizations and sings Alto in her church choir.

Emerging Artist: Sarah Melody

Sarah Melody is a singer songwriter that is well poised to launch her career in the Canadian music scene. Sarah is a dynamic vocalist with a unique tone and a natural ability to perform in different styles. Sarah is a seasoned performer and has been featured on YTV, CFTO, Much Music, TV Ontario, Rogers Cable and numerous print publications including CHART ATTACK. Sarah is not only a performer but an accomplished public speaker that represented Canada in Geneva, Switzerland in 2009 at the World Youth Summit. Sarah is passionate about human rights and after the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia Sarah recorded and released “Letter of Hope” with the proceeds going to the tsunami relief efforts. Sarah boasts an extensive list of singles, including “Easy Come, Easy Go, Song of Peace, Love is, Hooked and Real Love”. You can check Sarah out on her youtube video entitled “Yearbook” filmed at the Holly Community Centre in Barrie.