Arts Take Centre Stage During Buffy Awards Gala

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta— The Arts Council of Wood Buffalo feted the arts community in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo this weekend. The organization presented the winners of the 2024 Buffy Awards during a glamorous Miami-Vice-themed gala on Saturday. Known as “The Buffys,” the awards place a spotlight on the vibrant arts community in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo by honouring individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the arts.

Among the 15 honorees, Claire Antoine received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her enduring impact on the arts in the region. The Indigenous Artist Award, presented by McMurray Métis, went to the Wood Buffalo Singers, while Cadence Kucy-Locke was named the Youth Leader in the Arts.

Theatre; Just Because took home the Arts Education Award, and the Athabasca Tribal Council was honored as this year’s Arts Champion. In the Creative Collaboration category, the Sisters in Cancer YMM Anniversary Event was recognized for its work.

Additional individual awards were given to Vinz Hernandez for Dance, Rachelle Solbak for Crafts, and Sahar Saifee for Literary Arts. Supermodel Taxidermy won the Ken Flaherty Music Award, while Amy Arendt received the Media Arts Award, presented by Play 103 and 100.5 Cruz FM. The Visual Arts Award went to Rienna Blare Davey, and Hanna Fridhed-Campbell was celebrated for her work in Arts Administration.

The gala, a highlight of the fall season, saw hundreds gather to celebrate the award recipients during a night of entertainment and revelry.