News, press releases, The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc.

The Shelia Hugh Mackay Foundation
announces the recipient of the 2008 Strathbutler Award

Saint John, N.B – Anna Torma, a fibre artist from Baie Verte, is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Strathbutler Award. The Strathbutler, along with several other arts prizes, were presented last night in front over a large audience at the Fredericton Playhouse at the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation’s annual award gala.

Ms. Torma, who was not able to attend, had her work represented by Dr. Anne Koval, Associate Professor in Art History, Mount Allison University who also accepted the award on her behalf. Ms. Torma’s work, heavily influenced by visionary art, has been showcased around the world. The layering of thread, cloth and colours results in a breathtaking final product.

"Through sheer inventiveness and a virtuosic mastery of her medium Ms. Torma has dramatically reshaped our understanding of a traditional discipline,” states Tom Lovatt, freelance curator, artist and art reviewer from Manitoba.

Ms. Torma is participating in the opening ceremony at Dia-Logue in Tournai, Belgium, an international fiber triennial in which her work was selected as one of the 34 works exhibited.

The $15,000 Strathbutler Award recognizes excellence in the field of fine craft or visual arts by an artist who has made a substantial contribution to the province of New Brunswick. The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation that promotes excellence in the visual arts in New Brunswick.

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For further information, or to obtain reproductions of works for publication, please contact:
Beth Richardson, Pretzel Productions Tel: (506) 646-9965 / email: pretzel@nbnet.nb.ca

The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation
selects candidates for the 2008 Strathbutler Award

Saint John, N.B – Three New Brunswick artists have been selected as finalists for the 2008 Strathbutler Award granted by the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation. The winner will be announced and the award presented at the annual awards gala to be held June 12th at the Fredericton Playhouse.

The prestigious $15,000 Strathbutler Award recognizes excellence in the field of fine craft or visual arts by an artist who has made a substantial contribution to the province of New Brunswick. A jury, consisting of experienced arts professionals reviewed all applications to narrow the candidates down to the final three. The members of the 2008 Strathbutler Award jury were:

Francine Dagenais, Artist, Lecturer, Journalist, Quebec
Tom Lovatt, Artist, Curator, Manitoba
Linden Frederick, Artist, Maine

The selected short-list artists for this year’s award are:

• Linda Brine, a fibre artist, meshes standard weaving practices with innovative, contemporary methods in her imagery. Her woven paper cloth works are a unique combination of deeply personal yet universal originality. Linda lives Fredericton.

• A second fibre artist, Anna Torma, weaves a story in each piece of her work. Influenced by visionary art, Ms. Torma is able to tell stories through her embroidery. The layering of thread, cloth and colours results in a breathtaking final product. Her work has been showcased around the country, and the world. Anna resides in Baie Verte.

• Photographer, James Wilson, has also been selected. His panoramic landscapes, black and white portraits, infrared photography and newly developed digital based photo art are part of many collections. James lives in Hampton.

The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation that promotes excellence in the visual arts in New Brunswick.

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For further information, or to obtain reproductions of works for publication, please contact:
Beth Richardson, Pretzel Productions Tel: (506) 646-9965 / email: pretzel@nbnet.nb.ca


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	June 13 , 2008 The Shelia Hugh Mackay Foundation announces the recipient of the 2008 Strathbutler Award Saint John, N.B – Anna Torma, a fibre artist from Baie Verte, is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Strathbutler Award. The Strathbutler, along with several other arts prizes, were presented last night in front over a large audience at the Fredericton Playhouse at the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation’s annual award gala. Ms. Torma, who was not able to attend, had her work represented by Dr. Anne Koval, Associate Professor in Art History, Mount Allison University who also accepted the award on her behalf. Ms. Torma’s work, heavily influenced by visionary art, has been showcased around the world. The layering of thread, cloth and colours results in a breathtaking final product. "Through sheer inventiveness and a virtuosic mastery of her medium Ms. Torma has dramatically reshaped our understanding of a traditional discipline,” states Tom Lovatt, freelance curator, artist and art reviewer from Manitoba. Ms. Torma is participating in the opening ceremony at Dia-Logue in Tournai, Belgium, an international fiber triennial in which her work was selected as one of the 34 works exhibited. The $15,000 Strathbutler Award recognizes excellence in the field of fine craft or visual arts by an artist who has made a substantial contribution to the province of New Brunswick. The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation that promotes excellence in the visual arts in New Brunswick. - 30 - For further information, or to obtain reproductions of works for publication, please contact: Beth Richardson, Pretzel Productions Tel: (506) 646-9965 / email: pretzel@nbnet.nb.ca May 9, 2008 The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation selects candidates for the 2008 Strathbutler Award Saint John, N.B – Three New Brunswick artists have been selected as finalists for the 2008 Strathbutler Award granted by the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation. The winner will be announced and the award presented at the annual awards gala to be held June 12th at the Fredericton Playhouse. The prestigious $15,000 Strathbutler Award recognizes excellence in the field of fine craft or visual arts by an artist who has made a substantial contribution to the province of New Brunswick. A jury, consisting of experienced arts professionals reviewed all applications to narrow the candidates down to the final three. The members of the 2008 Strathbutler Award jury were: Francine Dagenais, Artist, Lecturer, Journalist, Quebec Tom Lovatt, Artist, Curator, Manitoba Linden Frederick, Artist, Maine The selected short-list artists for this year’s award are: • Linda Brine, a fibre artist, meshes standard weaving practices with innovative, contemporary methods in her imagery. Her woven paper cloth works are a unique combination of deeply personal yet universal originality. Linda lives Fredericton. • A second fibre artist, Anna Torma, weaves a story in each piece of her work. Influenced by visionary art, Ms. Torma is able to tell stories through her embroidery. The layering of thread, cloth and colours results in a breathtaking final product. Her work has been showcased around the country, and the world. Anna resides in Baie Verte. • Photographer, James Wilson, has also been selected. His panoramic landscapes, black and white portraits, infrared photography and newly developed digital based photo art are part of many collections. James lives in Hampton. The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation that promotes excellence in the visual arts in New Brunswick. - 30 - For further information, or to obtain reproductions of works for publication, please contact: Beth Richardson, Pretzel Productions Tel: (506) 646-9965 / email: pretzel@nbnet.nb.ca The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. PO Box 416 Saint John, N.B., E2L 4L9 sheilahughmackay@nb.aibn.com www.sheilahughmackay.com 506.693.5647 Copyright 2006 The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, Inc. Developed by Maven New Media.