Photo galleries: Stars of the county’s arts world honoured at the 2012 Norfolk Arts Awards

By emma knights
Saturday, October 27, 2012
11:29 AM

Shining stars of the Norfolk arts world were honoured for their creative achievements at a special awards ceremony.

The 2012 Norfolk Arts Awards as part of the Hostry Festival. Winner of the Lifetime Contribution to Local Arts Award, Neville Miller receives his award from Susan Seddon. Picture: Denise Bradley

The inaugural Norfolk Arts Awards in association with the EDP took place at Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry last night. The event, which marked the beginning of this year’s Hostry Festival, paid tribute to the wealth of artistic talent in Norfolk and saw 12 accolades presented.

Norfolk Arts Awards founder Peter Beck said: “Deciding on nominations for the awards was very difficult indeed for the judges. Norfolk is a rich county of artists, performers and arts venues. We were only able to celebrate just a few of them last night. The skill, innovation and creativity of those we have chosen is remarkable.”

Among last night’s awards was the EDP People’s Choice Award, which was nominated and voted for by the public, and gave our readers the chance to say who they think are the leading lights of the county’s arts scene. The Norfolk and Norwich Festival was crowned the winner of the EDP People’s Choice Award following its 16-day arts extravaganza in May that included everything from prehistoric beasts to cutting-edge art to a show that was 100pc Norfolk.

Neville Miller, a veteran reporter and arts critic for the EDP’s sister paper the Evening News and who has acted at the Maddermarket and Sewell Barn Theatre for more than 30 years, was honoured with the Lifetime Contribution to Local Arts Award. Other winners were Sheringham Little Theatre (Theatre Award), the John Jarrold Trust (Fosters Solicitors Business and the Arts Award), Future Radio (Broadcast and Press Award), Norwich-based artist Anita Staff (Education and Community Award), Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Dance Award), The Bo Nanafana Social Club (Hy Kurzner Arts Entrepreneur Award), Norwich-based Aude Gotto who established the King of Hearts (Music Award), Norwich-based painter Chris Kendrick (Visual Arts Award), and Cromer-based Charlie Skinner (Peter Barrow Bursary Award For Best Newcomer).

The 2012 Norfolk Arts Awards as part of the Hostry Festival. Winner of the EDP People's Choice Award, William Galinsky for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Picture: Denise Bradley

The Bernardine Coverley Nature Writing Prize was awarded to Ashley Ford, from Shipdham, and EDP feature writer Keiron Pim.

For a full account of last night’s awards see Monday’s paper.