Shirley Elford’s handcrafted glass statues have symbolized Canadian music for more than a decade.
The Stoney Creek artist has put her personal touch on more than 2,200 Junos since designing Canada’s most prestigious music award 11 years ago.
But declining health has made it impossible for Elford to continue.
So Elford designed a new Juno award that would incorporate the old glass design without requiring all the handcrafted labour.
The new award was unveiled in Toronto Tuesday night by officials of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) to launch the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Junos, which will be held March 27 at the Air Canada Centre.
“It’s been a great honour to do them over all this time,” she told The Spectator in an interview yesterday afternoon. “I feel absolutely privileged that I had the opportunity to design them and privileged that I had the opportunity to be part of this redesign. It’s stunning. It’s just beautiful.”
Three years ago, Elford was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Through various cancer treatments, Elford was able to continue to produce the awards. Last year, however, she found she increasingly needed to rely on the help of her assistant Kelly Lowe.
“I gave (CARAS) a head’s up that I wouldn’t be able to do them anymore,” Elford, 67, said. “It’s been a struggle to get them done the past couple of years, because of the cancer. Last year, I almost didn’t make it. So we needed to do something.”
The new design incorporates Elford’s original by laser engraving the shape of the figure inside of a glass block. It will lack the individuality of the old awards, but can be more easily manufactured.
Elford has donated her design fees to MusiCounts, a charity run by CARAS which donates money to schools for the purchase of musical instruments. Earlier this month, two Hamilton schools were beneficiaries of MusiCounts grants.
Music Counts is really near and dear to my heart,” she says. “That program has helped my own community. That’s what it’s all about. Music brings everyone together.”
905-526-3331
