As the summer winds down, Jasper’s many artists are looking forward to Alberta Arts Days on Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. 

Jasper has once again won host celebration site status, which means the provincial government has supplied Jasper, along with 63 other communities across Alberta, money to help make the weekend a success. The 64 communities will share $375,000. 

The funding is being used to bring a formal art awards night to the community for the first time, to be held at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre on Sept. 30. 

The Ravin’ About the Arts Awards will bring artists and community together to celebrate emerging artists and their contributions. There will be locally-created dance and song presentations, and much more. Everything down to the plates that dinner will be served on will be created by local artisans. 

The award winners have already been announced, and are as follows:

• Cultural Pillar, Mildred Flanagan

• Cultural Patron, Hugh Lecky

• Emerging artist for dance, Marie Helene Hamel

• Emerging artist for theatre, Kim Wallace

• Emerging artist(s) for visual arts, Art of Street/Joel and Ryan

• Emerging artist for writing, Niki Wilson

• Emerging artist for music, Lisa Riddell

• Emerging artist for photography, Geoff Dick

• Emerging artist for mixed media, Ursula Winkler

• Emerging artist(s) for video, Jasper Sustainability Group for Youth

One of the organizers of the events, Marianne Garrah, said she is dealing with a very modest crowd when it comes to handing out awards, and some still can’t believe they have been chosen. 

“I had to reassure a participant this morning that they deserve the award,” Garrah said. 

She believes it’s all part of living in Jasper – many people enjoy creating but prefer to remain behind the scenes. 

“We all love our community, but we don’t see a lot of or give enough accolades,” Garrah said. “We have this humble community identity where we don’t necessarily wish to stand out from the crowd – yet by the things that we do we cannot help but stand out as symbols of the things that we are passionate about.”

In a town full of passionate athletes, artists and more, Marianne said it’s okay to stand up and take a bow once in awhile. 

“We have a lot of people in Jasper in that category – passionate about climbing, biking, painting, singing, dancing. We need to celebrate the things that make us unique.”

That passion will certainly be on display at the first arts awards, which will end Jasper’s Arts with Altitude Festival that has many fun events planned for its duration. The festival will kick off Sept. 23. Keep an eye out for future stories on Arts with Altitude in the Fitzhugh. More information on all the Arts Days and Arts with Altitude happenings can be found at albertaartspeak.wordpress.com/arts-with-altitude