It was a chance to celebrate Owen Sound’s culture.
Ed Bartlett received the highest cultural honour his community could present to him last night at the Roxy Theatre.
And he received a standing ovation to boot.
Bartlett won the lifetime achievement prize as the Owen Sound Cultural Awards were presented for the first time.
A retired violinist, music teacher, orchestra leader and instrument builder — the 89 year old Bartlett says he is both thrilled and honoured to have been given a lifetime achievement award.
He first moved to Owen Sound in 1934 and taught music at OSCVI in two separate stints in the 1950’s and the 1970’s.
Bartlett marvels at how far music and culture in Owen Sound have come in the 75 years since he first arrived.
Bartlett was one of 10 winners announced in a ceremony at the Roxy — a two-hour event that also featured musical and dance performances and a reading from city poet laureate Kristan Anderson.
The Ningwakwe Learning Press won the cultural heritage award and Artistic director Bob Rice accepted the prize.
The Grey-Bruce Health Unit won for architectural design and it was accepted by Doctor Hazel Lynn, the medical officer of health.
Richard J. Thomas won the literary award.
Eva Leflar was recognized for patronage and Owen Sound Little Theatre won the theatre award and it was accepted by Bill Murphy, president of the OSLT board.
Sheila Milne won the dance award, Larry Jensen won the music award, Andrew Goss and Sandra Noble Goss won for visual and media arts and Sebastian Ostertag won the emerging artist award.
Michael Milhausen, the chair of the citys cultural advisory committee and of the Owen Sound Cultural Awards jury, says he’s delighted at how the event came together.
He says next year’s awards could be even better as more people in the community become aware of them.