Buffys 2016: Start of a New Tradition
The Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards (a.k.a. Buffys) recognizes our region’s top artists and arts workers in all areas of the arts. The very first Buffys event, "Midnight Circus," was the start of a new tradition in Wood Buffalo. Held on October 22, 2016 at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, recipients of the Buffy awards were announced during a sold out showcase event filled with arts supporters from around the region.
2016 Theme: The Midnight Circus
The Midnight Circus was the inaugural Buffys Awards showcase and featured the region's top artists and arts workers in all areas of the arts only six months after the 2016 wildfire. The sold-out event took place in an extraordinary scene created to amaze all guests, and included high-energy performances from a variety of disciplines, breathtaking arts displays, and a delectable assortment of carnival foods.
2016 Award Recipients
- Arts Administration - Ana Maria Mendez
- Arts Champion - Loraine Humphrey
- Arts Education - Marie Gazzard
- Creative Collaboration - Theatre; Just Because and Waypoints
- Dance - Kim Hurley
- Fine Craft - Leo Parent
- Literary Arts - Kevin Thornton
- Media Arts - Sean Mclennan
- Music - Dan Gillies
- Rising Star - Avery Rex
- Theatre - Michelle Thorne
- Traditional Aboriginal Arts - Lily Marcel
- Visual Arts - Carol Breen
2016 Performers
The sold-out awards showcase event included a visual art display, live theatrical performances, film, instrumental music, song, poetry, duets, and collaborations from different performing arts disciplines.
2016 Buffy Awards
The very first Buffy Awards were handcrafted, beaded, wearable art pieces created by Indigenous artist, Kathleen Marsel of Take-A-Look at my Cree-A-Tions.
2016 Nominees: Arts Administration
- Steph Link
- The team at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
- Ana Maria Mendez
2016 Nominees: Arts Education
- Graham Abbott
- Jennifer Barr
- Marie Gazzard
- Renee Manners
- Terri Mort
- Zachary Barrett
2016 Nominees: Creative Collaboration
- Fanny & Manny Tie the Knot: Theatre; Just Because and Waypoints
- Timeraiser: FuseSocial
2016 Nominees: Craft
- Barb Howe
- Leo Parent
- Simon John Budd
2016 Nominees: Dance
- Kim Hurley
- Nicole Armstrong
2016 Nominees: Indigenous Arts
- Claire Beaulieu-Antoine
- Lily Marcel
- Treasure Cooper
2016 Nominees: Literary Arts
- Krista Balsom
- Kevin Thornton
- Patricia Marie Budd
2016 Nominees: Media Arts
- Craig Momney
- Matt Salem
- Paul Carpentier
- Sanjay Patel
- Sean Mclennan
2016 Nominees: Music
- Dan Tulk
- Dan Gillies
2016 Nominees: Rising Star
- Avery Rex
- Dylan Thomas-Bouchier
2016 Nominees: Theatre
- Michelle Thorne
- Steph Link
- Zenon Campbell
2016 Nominees: Visual Arts
- Bill Martin
- Carol Breen
- Dave Ball
- Renee Manners
- Sithara Fernando
- Wendy Thorne and Paul Carpentier
The show must go on!
Planning for the awards program and the event began early in 2016 and although the wildfire put so much on hold, ACWB decided within a week of the evacuation that the Arts Awards must go on. ACWB’s mandate is to the champion investment in the arts in our region, and the Arts Awards do just that. The Buffys is a program that recognizes the achievements of our artists, adds to their portfolios, provides a paid performance or exhibition opportunity, and connects them with each other and the wider community. The Arts Awards will look different year to year and we look forward to working with artists, stakeholders, and partners to continue developing this program.
Thank You
Thank you to the sponsors and partners of the 2016 Buffys, you are truly champions of the arts. Thank you to the venue staff, the event coordinators, and all the volunteers who made the showcase event absolutely amazing. Thank you to the ACWB board for your guidance and support in ensuring that the arts are valued and recognized as essential in creating a balanced community. Thank you to ACWB staff who work hard to make sure the arts community is connected and has the resources they need to thrive. And thank you to all the artists – nominees, recipients, performers, exhibitors – you are integral to a remarkable quality of life, and we are proud to advocate on your behalf in our community and beyond.
