0
0
Deep Roots announces 17th Valley Arts Award
Valley Arts Award 2020: Fred & Nancy Chipman
A Wolfville couple with a long-time commitment to supporting the arts are this year’s recipients of the 17th Valley Arts Award. Fred and Nancy Chipman have contributed their time and energy to a number of arts organizations over the years, leading to this latest recognition from the Deep Roots Music Cooperative. Former members of the Deep Roots membership committee and annual donors, the Chipmans were also involved with the Acadia Performing Arts committee.
Fred served as chair of the group during the 1990s and continued as a member, while Nancy assisted at Performing Arts events. Together they travelled to Contact East representing the committee. Contact East was a wonderful opportunity to see towns and theatres in the Atlantic provinces, Nancy recalled, and to view a wide variety of “taster” performances at the showcase. They also attended talks on theatre events management.
Fred was on the Acadia Cinema Co-Op board for several terms, including as corporate secretary. Early on they both contributed to the renovations of the building. “We worked on the upstairs rental apartment when others worked on the theatre itself. We also painted walls, and we are shareholders, of course. Fred participated in the sale of shares for about a decade.”
The Chipmans have been long-time supporters of music performances at Acadia University and attend virtually all recitals and performances. This includes the student recitals that are part of their academic programs, Nancy noted.
The Chipmans donated funds to both Acadia’s percussion program and the Wolfville School music program toward instruments.
Fred and Nancy are also artistic creators; they have turned their hands to gardening at the Festival Theatre and the Wolfville Post Office, among other public spaces.
This year’s presentation of the Valley Arts Award will be a virtual event. Usually the last full weekend of September, Deep Roots brings an awesome blend of up-and-coming, alongside tried-and-true, performers to our festival stages, and the award is presented at the Festival Finale. This year, because of COVID-19, festival organizers had to shift gears.
Program Director Dave Carmichael says, “We’ll be launching a Deep Roots retrospective online on Sept. 26 on our YouTube channel.” The Deep Roots COVID Concerts were presented on the internet bi-weekly from May 30 to September 19 (the Saturday before the Deep Roots Music Festival was to take place). On ‘festival weekend’ this year an online show will feature festival memories, and the presentation of the 17th annual Valley Arts Award. Audience members will also be invited to view any or all of the COVID Concerts series – nine hours of programming!
The Deep Roots Music Festival is a production of the Deep Roots Music Co-operative, a registered non-profit organization, incorporated in 2003 by a group dedicated to developing and promoting the music scene in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. The mandate of the organization is to develop year-round musical programs culminating in an annual festival and to encourage meaningful connections between cultures, community groups, artists and audiences.
The Valley Arts Award recognizes someone who is, or has been, a Valley resident; has worked for the development and/or promotion of Valley artists, arts events, or culture; and has made a significant long-term contribution to the Arts in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.
