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Twenty-six years ago Mark Perry raised his hand at his son’s soccer practice and volunteered to fill in for the head coach the odd weekend — here and there — when needed.

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On Sunday, Perry accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Owen Sound Arts, Culture and Volunteer Awards inside the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

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“It’s funny how things can evolve,” Perry said.

Owen Sound Minor Soccer registered more than 1,000 kids last summer, and even though Perry’s children have grown up he’s still the backbone and president of the steadily run organization, his nominators said.

Perry is the Rogers TV Grey County station manager and said his day job constantly reminds him of how important volunteers are to Owen Sound.

“I see it every day,” he said.

The Owen Sound Arts, Culture and Volunteer Awards celebrate excellence in the arts, culture and heritage in the greater Owen Sound area. This year, the celebration event included awards for Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, and Senior Volunteer of the Year.

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Local poet, filmmaker and climate activist Elizabeth (Liz) Zetlin won the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work promoting the arts and climate action in the region.

“Lifetime kind of sounds a little bit like you’re done, but I’ve still got a few years left,” said Zetlin, who used part of her acceptance speech to promote and recruit volunteers for her new venture Pollinate Owen Sound, in partnership with the OPEN team consisting of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, Billy Bishop Museum, Waterfront Heritage Centre and the art gallery.

Zetlin helped create the city’s poet laureate position and the Words Aloud festival. More recently, she produced, directed and edited the documentary Resilience

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Neyaashiinigmiing’s J.D. Crosstown earned the Emerging Artist award with a $500 cash prize. The singer/songwriter grew up in the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation with Cree and Ojibwe heritage. His music has roots in folk, country and blues and he’s fresh off a tour in Germany supporting local musician Matt Epp.

Raquell Yang won the Outstanding Individual Award. Originally from Taiwan, Yang is now a mainstay in the Owen Sound arts community where she mixes eastern and western styles in her brush paintings. She also supports the community with pop-up workshops and gallery events. Her best-known work is likely the impressive mural painted on the side of the Grey Gallery in downtown Owen Sound entitled Transformation.

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The Georgian Bay School for the Arts won the Cultural Catalyst Award and Dean McLellan earned the Cultural Heritage Award for work restoring the Saugeen Amphitheater.

Sweetwater Music Festival won the award for Outstanding Group. The Emancipation Festival won the award for Outstanding Event, and the Owen Sound Memoir Series won the Most Promising New Event award.

Sandy Stevenson won Senior Volunteer of the Year while Junior Optimist Shayla Adamson won Youth Volunteer of the Year.

Musicians Magenta and Simon Dawes provided musical interludes throughout the ceremony.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony inside the TOM’s North Gallery. MPP Rick Byers, Mayor Ian Boddy and several city councillors attended.

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Diana Meder from Grey-Bruce’s Bounce Radio was host for the ceremony. Performers from the Roxy Star Company opened the event.

To be eligible for an award, nominees had to live in the greater Owen Sound area and make a significant local contribution or a national/international impact.

Full-time city employees and elected officials are not eligible to be nominated, nor are posthumous nominations accepted.

The award’s jury is made up of previous event winners.

PAST WINNERS:

2022 winners:

Cultural Catalyst – Christy Eaglesham (Taylor)

Cultural Heritage – Potters Field Monument Volunteer Steering Committee

Outstanding Event – Georgian Bay Symphony Virtual Sessions

Outstanding Group – Reconciliation Garden Project

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Outstanding Individual – Tyler Boyle, Spirit Artist

Emerging Artist – Paige Warner

Most Promising New Event – Earth Day Grey Bruce

Lifetime Achievement – Shirley John

2020 winners:

Cultural Catalyst – Community Foundation Grey-Bruce

Cultural Heritage – Wiidosendiwag+Walking Together+Marchons Ensemble Tour

Outstanding Event – Scenic City Film Festival

Outstanding Group – Lookup Theatre

Outstanding Individual – Stephanie Fowler

Emerging Artist – Kevin Griffin

Most Promising New Event – Owen Sound Art Walk

Lifetime Achievement – Wilmer Nadjiwon

2018 winners:

Cultural Catalyst – R. Michael Warren

Cultural Heritage – Maryann Thomas

Outstanding Event – 42nd Annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival

Outstanding Group – Georgian Bay Symphony

Outstanding Individual – Steve Ritchie

Emerging Artist – Chris Morton

Most Promising New Event – Awesome Sydenham Riverfest Extravaganza

Lifetime Achievement – Stephen J. Hogbin

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