George Gordon playwright amongst Saskatchewan Arts Awards winners
- EFN Staff | October 29, 2017
The 2017 Saskatchewan Arts Awards recipients were announced by the Saskatchewan Arts Board last week, and George Gordon playwright Kenneth T. Williams was one of the recipients.
The event was held at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon on October 26, which was hosted by the award-winning writer and comedian Dawn Dumont. These awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of individuals, groups and organizations in all arts disciplines. Recipients are awarded a limited-edition sculpture by Saskatchewan artist Jody Greenman-Barber and a cash prize.
Williams won the Artistic Excellence Award.
“I've had the pleasure of working with Kenneth T. Williams in many capacities as actor, director and dramaturg. Each time, I walk away amazed by his capacity to create and collaborate with artists while not losing his vision or voice,” said actor Lorne Cardinal in a media release.
Hailing from the George Gordon First Nation, Williams is a playwright and dramaturg who earned an master of fine arts degree in playwriting from the University of Alberta.
He has served as the playwright-in-residence at the University of Saskatchewan and Artistic Director for Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre in Saskatoon. Williams also sits on the advisory committee for the National Arts Centre's Indigenous Theatre Section.
Other awards recipients consisted of Jack Sure who was gifted the Lieutenant Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Catherine Blackburn who won the RBC Emerging Artist Award, Michel Boutin won the Leadership-Individual Award, Daniel Macdonald received the Arts and Learning Award and ACTRA Saskatchewan won the Leadership-Organization award.
The awards entertainment included performances by slam poets Brent Chappell and Shanda Stefanson, Indigenous flute player Jason Chamakese, bass player Felipe Gomez, Little Opera on the Prairie.
These awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of individuals, groups and organizations in all arts disciplines.
The 2017 Saskatchewan Arts Awards were adjudicated by a panel of professional artists who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to make objective and informed decisions. The jury members were: playwright, director and editor Kelley Jo Burke (Regina), artist Ruth Cuthand (Saskatoon), artistic director Angus Ferguson (Meacham) and musician and media artist Jeff Morton (Kennedy).