Buffys 2022

Buffys 2022 was Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s in person debut! After two years of at-home cinematic experiences, artists, art groups, supporters and nominees gathered on October 22, 2022 at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, which was transformed into a futuristic time machine. Hosted by the talented Aleaha Frigon and Phill Howell, Future Midnight hoped to get the community excited about what’s to come next. With the premiere of the Connection to Land video series, three live performances, over 100 nominees and 14 award presentations, this was an event for the books!

The Theme: Future Midnight

The event theme was Future Midnight. As Arts Council moves into a new phase with Arts Inc., the evening celebrated the Wood Buffalo’s arts that have been, currently are and the arts that have yet to be!

From 2022 to 2122 and stops in between, attendees were able to experience glimpses of what the future holds for ACWB. Futures where the arts, science and technology converged.

2022 Award Recipients

Arts Administration - Rosanna Cyprien
Arts Champion - Neville Video Productions
Arts Education - Dianne Perry
Craft - Hynes Woodworking
Creative Collaboration - Empty Bowls Project - Fort McMurray Potters Guild & Wood Buffalo Food Bank
Dance - Kelli Stewart
Indigenous Artist - Bebi Gah Creations
Lifetime Achievement - Kim Hurley
Literary Arts - Jamal-e-Fatima Rafat
Media Arts - M’guphynn Media
Music (Ken Flaherty Music Award) - Tyler Whelan
Performing Arts - Jenny Price
Rising Star - Kate Vargo
Visual Arts - Ambreen Ehtisham

2022 Performers

The showcase featured three live performances by local Wood Buffalo artists: a lively tap number by MKD The Space, beautiful readings of original poetry (Emma Carter, Dawn Booth, Will Collins, Jamal-e-Fatima Rafat) and a breathtaking serenade by The Borderpines.

Buffys 2022 also included the exclusive premiere of the Connection to Land video series produced by Symmetree Theatre and Berteig Imaging. This series featured three videos led by three local Indigenous artists: Melinda Richter, Dene Plews & Megan Shott. They created pieces inspired by their own connection to the land and included work filmed in Janvier and Fort McKay - a first in Buffys history.

With visual assets created by local media artists, Neville Video Productions, Matt Lorenz Productions, and Hexwave Media, dazzling set design by Karlie Christie, custom drinks by Cocktails by Boots, psychic readings by local drag artists - Simma Downe and Stella L’Amour, and event photography by Stacey Northcote, the event was an experience like no other. Watch the live streamed event on our YouTube.

2022 Buffy Awards

The 2022 Buffy Awards were handcrafted by local artist, June Heskett. She created fifteen bespoke pieces using charcoal picked from the Athabasca and Clearwater River forest line. Inspired by our region's skyline, rolling hills, the forest and the rivers, each award had small details that channel the art form that each award category represents. Examples of such details are birds flying in the Dance category, an easel in the Visual Arts category, and a tipi for the Indigenous Artist category. This year, June hoped each award would bring a feeling of calm and a little bit of home to take on the recipient’s future journeys; a piece of Fort McMurray.