Creative Nova Scotia Awards: Alumni Recipients

Category: News and Updates

Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council held the 2023 Creative Nova Scotia Awards earlier this month, recognizing excellence in artistic achievement. When it comes to artistic and musical talents in Nova Scotia, NSCC community members are bound to be involved. This year’s award recipients include three alumni.

Andre Fenton and Juanita Peters on stage holding their Creative Nova Scotia Awards.

Award recipients Juanita Peters (Radio TV Broadcasting '82) and Andre Fenton (Screen Arts '15, Social Services '18). Photo credit: Kelly Clark.

Portia White Prize & Portia White Protégé Award

The Portia White Prize was awarded to Juanita Peters (Radio Television Broadcasting '82), an actor, journalist, news anchor, playwright and film and theatre director. She is the Executive Director of the Africville Museum in Halifax, a founding member of Women in Film and Television Atlantic, and a founding member of Atlantic Canada’s newest multicultural festival, Nova MultiFest.

Juanita selected fellow alum, Andre Fenton (Screen Arts '15, Social Services '18) as her chosen protégé. Andre is an award-winning African Nova Scotian author, spoken-word artist and arts educator. He’s written three young adult fiction novels and represented Halifax at seven national poetry festivals.

“It was such an honour to be selected for the Portia White Protégé Award by Juanita Peters, I adore Juanita's work, and am glad to have such a wonderful mentor from my community. She's a role model, and I'm just so over the moon to be her protégé. It really fills me with gratitude and brings me back to the nostalgic, creative exploration I was able to discover in the Screen Arts Program. I miss it, and I am so proud to have that foundation in my creative endeavours,” says Andre.

Jah'Mila is originally from Kingston, Jamaica, and is now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Photo credit: Timothy Richard

Black Artist Recognition Award

The Black Artist Recognition Award was presented to reggae singer Jah'Mila, also known as Jhamiela Smith (Business Administration '20). Jah’Mila uses her music as a platform for entertainment and activism, advocating for community, inclusion and support for the arts.

"Receiving the Creative Nova Scotia and Music Nova Scotia Awards is a tremendous honor, validating my dedication and the support from NSCC and the East Coast community. Grateful for the opportunities these awards bring,” says Jah’Mila.

Musician P’tit Belliveau on stage standing at a podium to give their award acceptance speech.

Musician P’tit Belliveau at the Creative Nova Scotia Award. Photo credit: Kelly Clark.

Prix Grand-Pré Award

Musician P’tit Belliveau, also known as Jonah Guimond (Music Business '15, Carpentry '18), received the Prix Grand-Pré Award. This award recognizes artists whose work reflects Acadian cultural values and demonstrates excellence and originality. P’tit Belliveau is a French-Canadian and Acadian folk and country musician from Clare, Nova Scotia.

Find the full list of the 2023 Creative Nova Scotia Awards recipients on the Arts Nova Scotia website.