The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, has extended congratulations to Kathleen Winter, winner of the 2007 Winterset Award.

The Winterset Award, administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC), recognizes excellence in all genres of writing. The award was announced Thursday during a ceremony held at Government House.

"The award provides an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary talent of Newfoundland and Labrador�s writing community," Minister Jackman said. "All three finalists have produced incredible work and should be very proud."

Ms. Winter received the $5,000 award for her short story collection titled boYs, published by Biblioasis of Emeryville, Ontario.

George A. Rose and Paul Rowe were the other two finalists and each received a $1,000 prize for their respective works; Cod: The Ecological History of the North Atlantic Fisheries published by Breakwater Books in St. John�s and Silent Time, published by Killick Press also in St. John�s.

NLAC Chair Carmelita McGrath noted that the award was established in 2000 and honours the memory of Sandra Fraser Gwyn, a St. John�s-born social historian and prize-winning author.

"Sandra was a passionate supporter of Newfoundland and Labrador's arts," Ms. McGrath said. "This award honours her spirit and encourages the growth of the community she loved so much. The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council is proud to be associated with this generous award."

Minister Jackman noted that submissions for the Winterset Award must be made by publishers. He acknowledged the publishers of each finalist for their continued support of Newfoundland and Labrador writers.

The Winterset Award is sponsored by the Sandra Fraser Gwyn Foundation.

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2008 03 28                                                  9:10 a.m.