I got a huge surprise in June, when I opened an email from the Canadian arts organisation Magicana, and found that I had been awarded the Slaight International Rising Star award, which included a hefty sum of money and an iPad.
Allan Slaight was a Canadian rock and rock radio pioneer, media mogul and philanthropist.
Most of Slaight’s career was in broadcasting professionally however his talents in the media did not stop him from exploring his passion for magic. Alongside his privately-owned network of radio stations in Canada, Allan managed to tour America with his magic, publish tricks in magazines and impress the magic world to boot.
In 2015 Allan’s family created the Slaight Family Foundation recognising the things that meant the most to Allan in his lifetime. These donations continue to benefit theatre, arts, health and disease research, radio, film, literature – and magic!
Thanks to this recognition, I will be able to delve deeper into explorations of my art. Also, take a peek at the lovely video they put together!
This news was also covered by Belfast Live.