Good evening,
To those of you viewing from the audience today and to those who are viewing virtually and online, I extend my heartfelt greetings to you all.
I wish to also express my appreciation and well wishes to the Bermuda Arts Council for their commitment to ensuring that this event took place this year.
This occasion is particularly poignant because the arts have suffered tremendously during the last two years of the pandemic. So it's wonderful that we can come together to recognise and highlight the importance of art in all its forms during this ceremony.
Today we're here to celebrate the recipients of the annual Bermuda Arts Council Awards.
These are individuals who have made significant contributions to Bermuda's artistic and cultural landscape over the years.
Since the inception of these awards, we have paid tribute to more than 150 individuals in our community who have dedicated their lives to shaping and preserving our artistic and cultural heritage.
And we welcome into this prestigious group six more deserving Bermudians.
They are:
- The late Ted Ming, who will posthumously receive the Founder's Award. As the former group leader and lead vocalist of the Bermuda Strollers, Ted Ming was a true ambassador for Bermuda Tourism and a pioneer and visionary in his field.
- Major Kenneth (Toki) Dill, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his immense contributions as a former Bermuda Regiment Bandmaster and music teacher.
- • Marjorie Pettit, received the Lifetime Achievement Award as Choral Director - Director of the Bermuda Chamber Choir and Orchestra and Bermuda School of Music's Youth Choir.
- Paul and Penelope Leseur, who will receive the Patron Award, for their very generous support of arts in Bermuda; and
- Daren A. Herbert, a rising star, who will receive the prestigious Earl Cameron Award for his critically acclaimed career as a theatre, stage and film actor.
All those being honoured today have much to be proud of, for they have truly left their mark on our Island.
They are six deserving Bermudians who have inspired so many of us with their artistic creativity and passion.
Each of our distinguished recipients has in one way or another shaped our community with their creativity, commitment and passion, and we are forever grateful for their contributions to Bermuda.
Thank you.