The Kiwanis DIA Walk of Fame will have four new members this fall.
They are:
- Ed Eng - Photographer,
- Keith Campbell - Clay Artist,
- Breen Leboeuf - Musician.
- Andre Picard - National Journalist and Author,
Kiwanis Club of Nipissing President Ralph Celentano says over two dozen nominations were considered.
Ed Eng – Photographer:
Growing up in North Bay in the Chinese restaurant run by his family, Ed channelled his creativity, vision of growth and dedication in The Old Chicago Restaurant downtown business. This positive energy was expressed through many decades of culinary events. The restaurant prospered under his leadership with his wife Helen, and received Awards of Excellence being one of the top 10 restaurants across the city.
His creativity visually was further expressed through his passion of photography which took him to many parts around the globe and he stood under the international spotlight being published in a wide range of magazines receiving provincial (NFRCC) national (CAPIC) and international (New York) industry awards achieving an international reputation.
His photographic contributions lending his time to teach at Artsperience at Canadore College, creative items for Discover North Bay, and the significant contribution he made to the North Bay Heritage Carousel book being honoured with an international publishing award.
His legacy initiating and coordinating the Help Portrait global movement right here in North Bay several years ago has truly been a heartfelt gift to over 500 families through the collaboration of like-minded photographers, make-up artists and hairstylists sharing a holiday memory for those in need. www.edeng.net
Keith Campbell – Clay Artist:
An Arts advocate serving the North Bay area for over 50 years who has been recognized in the ‘builder’ category founding no less than six organizations across Canada, three in North Bay Ontario namely: The White Water Gallery (1977), The WKP Kennedy Gallery (1986) and more recently, The North Bay Potters Guild (2013). As an educator, Keith was bestowed the title ”Artist in Residence Emeritus” for his contributions to Canadore College and the Arts community. Campbell has received over 60 awards and honours for his ceramic arts through provincial and national nominations. Director of the famous northern Ontario ‘Artsperience’: Summer School of the Arts for over 25 years. Over the years, this program attracted world-renowned artists and tens of thousands of participants arriving from around the world. Keith’s work has been exhibited across Canada, USA and Europe where his pieces rest in permanent and private collections (including Prime Ministers and Royalty). This craftsman is a sought-after lecturer, workshop facilitator and has authored articles for industry magazines plus numerous books have featured his work. His most recent exhibition, 50 years in Clay: Still More to Say is currently on display Sept 14-Oct 07 in London ON. www.keithcampbell.ca
Breen LeBoeuf – Musician:
Born and raised in North Bay, Breen credits his strong family upbringing, singing in choirs and unique French elementary education which fostered the creativity to become the musician he is today. Touring with several bands throughout his career, a journey that took him to Toronto, Quebec, United States and Europe (France). As a bass guitarist, a singer, a composer, a songwriter performing with The Buzz Band with fellow North Bayite John McGale, then Breen performed with the legendary Celine Dion in the hugely successful promotional tour of her Incognito album (1987-1988), and other notable bands including April Wine (2007-2011) just to name a few. LeBoeuf has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2010) with April Wine and he has released three solo albums. Breen has returned to North Bay in the past 10 years having performed at Les Compagnons. After 50 years of music, he is still playing over 80 dates per year. He is a musical Force in Quebec and there is not any sign of him slowing.
Andre Picard – National Journalist and Author:
André Picard is a health reporter and columnist at The Globe and Mail, where he has been a staff writer since 1987. He is also the author of three bestselling books. After being raised in North Bay from an early age, he attended Ecole Secondaire Algonquin and headed off to university completing a graduate degree in journalism. In addition, Picard has authored four books, has become a renowned speaker and an advocate for improving the health of Canadians.
In his book, The Gift of Death, Picard has detailed the struggles of North Bay’s Patrick Fortin and his family. According to a July 30 media release, CBC and SundanceTV have greenlit a new eight-part drama miniseries UNSPEAKABLE focused on the tainted blood scandal in Canada in the early 1980s. Based on first-person experience and two non-fiction books, Bad Blood by Vic Parsons and The Gift of Death by Andre Picard, UNSPEAKABLE chronicles the emergence of HIV and Hepatitis C in Canada in the early 1980s and the tragedy that resulted after thousands of people were unnecessarily infected by tainted blood. The series will be filmed in Canada in early 2018 for broadcast on CBC in Canada.
André has received much acclaim for his writing. He is an eight-time nominee for the National Newspaper Awards, Canada's top journalism prize, and past winner of prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism. Six Canadian Universities have bestowed Honourary Doctorates in recognition of Andre’s work.
André has also been honoured for his dedication to improving healthcare. He was named Canada's first "Public Health Hero" by the Canadian Public Health Association and as a "Champion of Mental Health" by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. His work has been recognized by several groups, including the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Hearing Society, Safe Kids Canada, and the Campaign to Control Cancer. www.andrepicard.com
A dinner will be held Friday, October 27, downtown at The Grande Conference Centre to share in a celebration of these North Bay citizens who have brought the city into the provincial, national and international spotlight with their passion, their creativity, and philanthropy.
