FREDERICTON (CNB) – Three young New Brunswick artists have been chosen to represent the province at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder announced today.

Cynthia Aubé-Boulay, Alyson Miller and Jessie Babin have been selected as the artist members of Team New Brunswick who will take part in the National Artists Program held in conjunction with the games in Halifax, Feb. 11-27, 2011.

Held every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games are a key event in the development of Canada's young athletes. In addition to the pursuit of athletic excellence, the games are a celebration of youth, sport, culture and community.

"I congratulate the young artists who were selected to take part of the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax,” said Holder. “This will be a great opportunity for them to network and gain visibility. Having young artists participate in a sporting event demonstrates the tight link between sports and culture. They are intertwined, and it is important to have events which focus on the importance of pairing them together."

The artists were selected by an evaluation committee formed by members of New Brunswick's arts community. They will join young artists from all parts of Canada for an interdisciplinary mentorship program in the arts during the two weeks of the games.

Cynthia Aubé-Boulay (artistic discipline: dance) is from Petit-Rocher, where she taught dance with BoGeste dance school. She now works and trains as a dancer with Evoke Movement Dance Theatre, a not-for-profit organization and dance company in Toronto. Aubé-Boulay specializes in hip hop, contemporary, modern and jazz dance.

Alyson Miller (artistic discipline: dance), a grade 12 student at J.M.A. Armstrong High School in Salisbury, has been a member of Moncton's DancEast and is currently dancing and teaching at Amherst's Atlantic Dance Academy. As a participant in dance competitions, she has received numerous medals and, most recently, studied with industry professionals at the Millennium Dance Complex in Hollywood, Calif. She also participated in the 2010 Paris Summer Dance Tour.

Jessie Babin (artistic discipline: visual arts), from Dalhousie, is a 2nd year student at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax where she is regarded as a skilled, motivated and creative student, excelling in drawing. In addition to being committed to her studies, she is a role model for others with her passion for exercise and wellness.   

The Team Manager for Team New Brunswick's 2011 National Artists Program is Kim Bent from Fredericton, who will be responsible to work with the national program organizers and mentors and guide the young artists. Bent has more than a decade of work experience in the New Brunswick arts community and has supervised young adults in various roles.

"The National Artists Program participants contribute a unique and creative dimension to the Games and we welcome their involvement as members of Team NB,” said Stéphane Hachey, Team NB Chef de Mission.  “We look forward to including these three talented young artists and the team manager as valued and important members of Team New Brunswick.”

More information about Team NB and the 2011 Canada Winter Games is available online.

LINK:

●    Team NB for 2011 Canada Winter Games: www.gnb.ca/sport

15-11-10