Media Release

Winner Announced for Mayor’s Award of Distinction, Contemporary Visual Art

(Tuesday, June 23, 2009) - Mayor Peter Kelly is pleased to announce Mark Stebbins as the winner of the inaugural Mayor's Award of Distinction, Contemporary Visual Art for his work entitled Datamine.

“I would like to thank all of the artists who took the time and effort to submit to this process ,” said Mayor Kelly. “The wealth of artistic talent in our municipality is undeniable, and this talent was certainly on display in the range of submissions we received. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the shortlisted artists, to Mark Stebbins, the winner, and to Jonathan Johnson and Daniel Hutchinson who received honourable mentions.”

The contest was open to HRM-based, emerging and mid-career, 2D visual artists. The works of the winner and two honourable mentions will be purchased as part of HRM’s permanent art collection and displayed in public locations across the municipality. The short-listed exhibitors will be paid an honorarium for their participation.

“HRM will be honoured to house these incredible artworks and will display them proudly,” said Kelly. “It is my sincere hope that this distinction will contribute to the artists’ ongoing professional development and success.”

The final public showing of the works is this Wednesday, June 24th, 7-9 p.m at City Hall. The works can also be viewed at http://www.halifax.ca/cah/ContemporayArtFinalists2009.html

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-4010

Jamie MacLellan
HRM Cultural Affairs
490-1039