Class of 2025 announced for P.A. Arts Hall of Fame

Both Mike and Karen teach private music lessons, but over the last 25 to 30 years, they have also been involved with local theatre. Mike has also played in various bands and performed at various events, including the Country North Show.

Noting that while they got started with the original Broadway North group, Karen said they enjoyed really moving over to the youth program.

“To see those kids flourish and grow through that program is really, really fantastic,” she said.

A picture taken during the 2023 production of the “Little Mermaid.” (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Karen added that the return of the adult program has provided the graduating youth an opportunity to further develop their skills and, most importantly, stay in the community.

Dennis Adams, who was also inducted in the Performing Arts — Music category, is also well known in the community for his holiday spirit, and said the induction is both an honour and a privilege.

“There have been many previous inductees, so just to be included in that same group is very wonderful. It’s nice to be acknowledged by your community,” he said.

During his 50 plus years playing music, Adams has travelled all over the country. He’s also well known for his work with the Prince Albert Winter Festival and his “Music Lives Here” program, which provides instruments to people who may not have the means to have them.

Estimating he’s taught thousands of students, Adams explained that music helps develop self-esteem and a sense of purpose.

“I’ve taught kids who had learning disabilities, and because they learned guitar and developed that focus, now have engineering degrees, so I think it’s just a catalyst for much bigger things in life than music,” he said.

Dennis Adams has been nominated for numerous SCMA awards. (Facebook/Dennis Adams)

Cheryl Ring, whose work has been recognized locally and internationally, has been inducted in the Visual Arts category.

“I am surprised but very humbled because we live in a community of outstanding artists. I have lived in Prince Albert for many years and have been involved in a variety of activities, to be recognized is an honour,” she said.

With respect to her own career highlights, Ring mentioned her installation of “Heart Spirits” in Minneapolis. This project aims to shift our collective mindset by influencing emotions through the making of 1,200 clay hearts – a real, physical reminder of the women and girls whose families’ hearts have been broken.

“I was frustrated with the turmoil that the MMIWG National Inquiry faced, nearly since
its beginning in September 2016,” she explained. “During the barrage of news stories at the outset, I was struck by constant references to the MMIW, and I realized, as an average
Canadian, I was losing touch with this important issue. Hundreds of missing &
murdered women & girls were being reduced to an anonymous list, an acronym with
little context. Canadians were losing touch with their own humanity, and they didn’t
even know it was happening. This project represents one woman trying to make her
mark for a hopeful future.”

Ring added 1,200 is a significant number, and it coincides closely with an RCMP 2014 National Overview, which put the total of missing & murdered to 1,181.

Cheryl Ring. (Submitted photo/Cheryl Ring)

Christina Thoen in the Builder category. (Facebook)

Christina Thoen was inducted into the Builder category and has been a part of the arts community in Prince Albert for over 30 years. In addition to her work as an artist and selling hundreds of pieces, her arts school owner has helped develop the talents of hundreds of students.

“It’s a celebration of my work, but it’s also a celebration of all the other artwork that has been created through the art school,” she said, referring to the induction..

Thoen recalled a story from years ago when a man came to purchase art and asked why there was a table in the middle of the gallery. When Thoen explained it was for her art students, the man questioned why she would do that and encouraged her to focus all her energy on her own art.

“It literally felt like he had stabbed me because I thought, how can I not share this gift of joy. It’s pure joy when you’re creating art,” she said.

The Prince Albert Arts Hall of Fame Induction Gala will take place on Friday, September 26
at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts (EARC).

Tickets will be available on the EARC website and at the EARC box office in June.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

by Nigel Maxwell

Class of 2025 announced for P.A. Arts Hall of Fame

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