Eight new plaques adorn a growing wall honouring creative minds at the Chatham Cultural Centre.
The CK Arts Council held its 4th annual Cultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Kiwanis Theatre Thursday night, celebrating the class of 2025 for contributions to the world of arts and culture at home and beyond.
This year’s inductees include Wallaceburg native and award-winning screen composer and recording artist Stephanie Copeland, who says being recognized in her hometown is a huge honour and a chance to thank those who guided her along the way.
“For me it’s about thanking and reflecting on all the mentors and teachers and all the guidance I’ve received from this community and from this area, because it really did shape who I am and what I’ve become and what I’ve done, and everything after that.”
Author and historian Bryan Prince was inducted in the the Literary Arts category, and says the honour helps to shine a light on the people whose stories he’s helped to tell.
“Those people who’ve worked so hard and uncovered some wonderful stories. That’s my joy, is researching and finding out about untold stories, unknown people, and letting the spotlight shine on them a little bit.”
The Hall of Fame class of 2025 also includes double Gemini nominee Tracey Hoyt for Performing Arts, ballet dancer Patrick Kastoff in Dance, pop surrealist painter Troy Brooks for Visual Arts, and the late Sam Panopoulos as a Cultural Builder.
Ken Crone and Shelton Brooks were honoured as legacy inductees.
Ryan Tetreault and Tara J. Wilson, recipients of this year’s Emerging Youth Artist Scholarship announced earlier this year, were also recognized.
The Chatham-Kent Cultural Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent through the Together CK Community Events grant program and Waste Connections of Canada, operator of the Ridge Landfill.
