Peter Powning, ceramic artist and sculptor said he was feeling "blissful" on winning the 30th annual Saidye Bronfman Award.
Along with $25,000 and recognition among Canada's foremost crafts practitioners, the award means his work will be included in the Canadian Museum of Civilization's permanent collection.
Powning says he'll tuck most of the money away -- "life in the arts is a bit perilous." But he splurged on a handmade velvet jacket with moose buttons by fellow New Brunswick crafts practitioner Shona Humphries to wear to last night's gala opening of the Museum of Civilization's new exhibition, UNIQUE! 30 Years of Outstanding Crafts.
The exhibition's core, everything from teacups to tapestries, consists of works by past winners of the Bronfman Award. Last night at the gala, Robert Sirman, director of the Canada Council for the Arts, announced that the Saidye Bronfman honours will become part of the Governor-General's Awards as of March, 2007, while retaining the Bronfman name.
While the Canada Council administers these prizes, the Bronfman family foundation is giving a $1.5-million endowment specifically for maintenance of the Saidye Bronfman Award.