Camrose Arts Council Mayor's Arts Awards

Since graduating from Camrose Composite High School in 1987, and earning a Bachelor of fine Arts from University of Calgary in 1994, Steve Mitts has developed his unique style in acrylics on wood panels, stretch paper and other media. Early in his career, Steve developed a series exploring his fascination with Renaissance themes and concepts. This work garnered significant attention in that it led to a six-year solo exhibition at the Hotel MacDonald in Edmonton where his work was noticed and acquired by many patrons of fine art. Since then, Steve’s art has reached across the country via countless projects and commissions.

In Steve’s own words “The pieces in my latest series all originated from something that once existed in another form” 100-year old grain bins and the wood they are made from comprise the components of Steve’s most recent paintings. As Steve has noted, “The frame, the segments and the very structure of my new paintings are made from the past. It is fitting that the subject matter of the Renaissance that has been the focus of my work for over 30 years, is now being explored and displayed in century old presentations.” In the words of one patron, “Steve’s art is amazing and his technique incredible. His combination of canvas and wood that he is currently using is absolutely unique…every piece is an individual masterpiece.”

As a local artist presenting on the national stage, Steve is not only creating beautiful pieces that connect to our rural landscape and culture and will last for years to come but he is also inspiring others to be patrons of the arts, and artists themselves. Steve regularly contributes pieces to local organisations for their fundraising and gives of his time and design talents locally. He truly is an ambassador for the arts in Camrose!

Bob Bailey is the truest example of someone who gives back to his community. Born and raised here, he began his music journey at the very school he now teaches at, Charlie Killam. A school music teacher for 41 years Bob has spent the majority of those years spent right here in Camrose. As a teacher he has consistently gone above and beyond to provide an exceptional music education to every student that comes through his music room door, universally accepting and meeting students where they are at.

Bob’s ensembles regularly perform for the public and have received countless awards and accolades at music festivals over the years. His passion for music education is unmatched and evidenced by the endless hours of his personal time establishing extracurricular music groups, leading countless extra-curricular rehearsals, spearheading fundraisers, arranging school concerts and other performances, entering music festivals, and arranging camps and tours.

In addition to all this, Bob lends his expertise to community arts projects and organisations. He has established and participates in local ensembles as a musician and supports other musicians and music programs locally and beyond. Bob also continually reaches outside our community to guest conduct, adjudicate and participate on boards that foster music education across the province. Bob has been acknowledged by his peers over the years as an outstanding music educator.

The immense impact Mr. Bailey has made to the musical arts in our community, and to the individual lives of students, parents, musicians, other educators, and administrators is undeniable and can be seen at higher levels of learning in the community, and beyond.