2024 Inductees to the Cornwall & Area Arts Hall of Fame
The Arts Hall of Fame gala has established itself as the premier arts event of the year. It is the occasion that arts luminaries from the whole range of activities disciplines are admitted to membership in the prestigious Hall. The gala is a celebration of arts, culture and achievement and the event features a showcase of brilliant contemporary talent as members are inducted.
Given that the Hall of Fame is only now reaching its tenth year and the arts have always been a feature of development in Akwesasne, Cornwall and the Counties, four of the seven Inductees are historical rather than contemporary figures. Stuart McCormick, for one, passed away in 1992, but today, word of a McCormick painting coming up at auction will draw huge crowds and fuel fierce bidding. Coincidentally, Stuart’s induction into the Hall in late October dovetails seamlessly with a retrospective of his work at the Cline House from September 12 to October 31. The writer Dorothy Dumbrille is a fellow Glengarrian and a prolific author whose books memorialized the pioneers of eastern Ontario. The synergies between artist and author mentioned here go beyond geography. Stuart illustrated some of Dorothy’s books.
Mary Kawennotakie Adams of Akwesasne raised the traditional craft of basket-making to a high art and achieved international renown. One of her baskets is in the Vatican and its replica is in the Smithsonian Museum. Leo Motard is the last of the historical figures being inducted. An arm disability disqualified Leo from combat in WWII so he enlisted as Band Master and entertained troops for the duration. On demobilization, he performed with stars from the Big Apple and was a member of the famous Champagne Orchestra at the Chateau Laurier.
Among the current nominees, L’ Amalgame des arts et de la langue française et du théâtre is being fêted on the occasion of its 20-year history of presenting French language artistic activities in theatre, improvisation, choir and writing. They perform to packed audiences that come from near and far. The Centennial Choir of Cornwall which continues to thrill audiences both from their home base in Aultsville Hall and external venues will also be inducted. The Choir is long overdue for the honour, as is the writing team of Frances and Clive Marin. The disciplines of research, history, culture and literature intersect in the formidable two-volume history of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry by Frances and Clive Marin. The Marins chose A Chronicle of Our Life and Times as the subtitle of their magnum opus, which picks up the history where Harkness’ book ends and continues to 2007. Many of the current members of the Arts hall of Fame were introduced to the world previous to their induction today by references made within these two volumes.
The gala and dinner will take place on Saturday, October 26, at the Best Western Inn and Conference Centre. Fans and supporters of the inductees as well as art lovers everywhere are invited to attend. The gala is a celebration of art and culture, unmatched in the region. Tickets at $100 are available at TicketPro, online and in person at the Aquatic Centre box office in Cornwall. Viewers may peruse the Hall of Fame at www.cornwallartshalloffame.com.
For more information, contact Elaine MacDonald, chair of the 2024 Arts hall of Fame gala. 613 330 3117 or [email protected].
