By: Crystal Keyamo
New Brunswick artists can be nominated, and receive, some of the highest honours possible within the province — every second year — through The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for High Achievement in the Arts. Instituted by the New Brunswick Arts Board, the awards recognize those whose work in the visual and performing arts, and in literature, has had a major impact on the province as a whole.
The Awards ceremony took place on November 8, 2024 in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy. The 2024 laureates are: Phil Comeau, Valerie Sherrard, Marshall Button, and Tara Francis, all renowned in their respective fields of art.
Visual Arts Award
The Award in the Visual Arts recognizes individuals who have produced careers of excellence and innovation in media including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, and photography. Eligible awardees are those that demonstrate exceptional value to the field of visual arts in New Brunswick, whose work in the medium has gotten both audience and peer respect.
The 2024 Visual Arts Award went to Phil Comeau, an energetic filmmaker/director whose work has reached international recognition. From Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, but now a Moncton, New Brunswick resident, for decades Phil has continued to be an essential representative of Acadian culture through raw, hard-hitting documentaries and dramas. His dedication to storytelling, linked with the artistic method in which he freezes moments of the Acadian way of living, has established him among the most important in the province.
His long list of cinematic accomplishments also includes the likes of “Belle-Île-en-Mer: A Breton and Acadian Island,” a quirky study of the ties that exist between Acadian and Breton culture, and “Zachary Richard, Toujours Batailleur,” an engaging look at the life of the much-loved Acadian singer/songwriter. His films have appeared in dozens of international festivals and have won several prizes that have established him as one of the leading figures in Canadian cinema.
Literary Arts Award
The Literary Arts Award recognizes authors, poets, and playwrights whose work has made a significant contribution to New Brunswick literature.
Valerie Sherrard is a professional author and one of the winners of the 2024 Literary Arts Awards, recognized for her extensive writing career, leaving impressive value in children and youth literature. Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, she made New Brunswick her adopted province. To date, Sherrard has written a number of novels that resonate with young readers, including themes of identity, resilience, and growth.
Among her many works is a novel titled The Glory Wind, where she received positive comments for its tragic story for which she received the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. How she came up with such realistic characters and storylines earned her admiration from her readers and educators alike made her one of the most sought-after Canadian authors of children’s books.
In addition to her writing, Sherrard has been heavily involved in all aspects of the New Brunswick literary landscape: advocating for literacy and mentoring young writers to strive for their own creative ambitions. The programs she founded supporting literacy and education have had an immense impact on the cultural and educational scenes in the province.
Performing Arts Award
The Performing Arts Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptionally meritorious contributions in the performing arts — such as theatre, dance, and music — to the rich and diverse performing arts landscape of New Brunswick. This prestigious award acknowledges performers whose outstanding talents have captured audiences and whose dedication has greatly contributed to the performing arts of the province.
The 2024 laureate of the Performing Arts Award, Marshall Button, is a talented actor, playwright, and comedian, best known for his brilliant creation of the character of Lucien — a New Brunswick mill worker whose piercingly funny monologues offer insightful commentary on topical social and political issues. From Dalhousie, New Brunswick, the character of Button as Lucien has attained the status of a common cultural heritage tending to reflect trials and speech patterns of regional working classes.
Button’s career, which spanned over four decades of charm, served to coast-to-coast audiences across Canada with the unique perspective of New Brunswick. His art does far more than delight; it nurtures a better appreciation for the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the province.
With his performances, Button has contributed to developing the arts of New Brunswick: being an artist-in-residence at Capitol Theatre in Moncton and a mentor to young and budding talent.
Indigenous Artist Award
The Indigenous Artist Award, established in 2024, honours the exceptional artistic achievements of Indigenous artists in New Brunswick. This prestigious award recognizes those artists committed to the preservation and promotion of Indigenous cultures through their artwork, adding value to the rich cultural tapestry of the province. The first-ever Indigenous Artist Award was presented to Tara Francis, a multidisciplinary artist of Mi’kmaq descent. Francis’ practice innately weaves traditional and contemporary artistic expression in beading, painting, and sculpture, into works about identity, heritage, and land care. From Elsipogtog First Nation, Francis is an exceptional ambassador for the advancement of Indigenous arts and culture in New Brunswick.
She can frequently be found incorporating traditional Mi’kmaq techniques and symbols into her artwork, effortlessly connecting the past and present to develop a deeper respect for Indigenous expertise and artistic expression. Francis is equally busy with community involvement through workshops and education about her experiences in Mi’kmaq art and their respective traditions. Her work has been very instrumental in keeping the indigenous culture that also inspired both the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous communities further in respecting and appreciating the rich heritage of the Mi’kmaq people.
These awards serve as a reminder of the transformative power of art to shape identities, tell stories, and build connections across communities.
