On the heels of the honour of having his statue dedicated by Princess Anne in France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Cochrane's Don Begg was named as a recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence on Thursday.
Begg, who is the proprietor of Studio West Bronze Foundry and Art Gallery, first studied bronze casting and sculpture in Alberta and California, followed by specialized training in monumental sculpture in New Jersey and New York.
"World-renowned for his public monuments and sculptures, Don Begg has been sculpting at Studio West Bronze Foundry & Gallery since its establishment in 1970," says a brief bio on Studio West's website. "In addition to creating popular public art attractions, and winning numerous public art commissions and awards, his works can be seen throughout Canada, United States, Germany and France.
The Alberta Order of Excellence was created in 1979, with the first investiture in 1981. The Lieutenant Governor, as the King’s representative, invests members into the Alberta Order of Excellence at a special ceremony at Government House in Edmonton.
The Alberta Order of Excellence is the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen and takes precedence over any other provincial honour or award. The Alberta Order of Excellence is on the Canadian Honours Order of Precedence, meaning its members are entitled to wear the insignia as approved by the Governor of General of Canada.
Members of the Order are entitled to use the post nominals AOE.
The Alberta Order of Excellence recognizes Albertans from all fields of endeavour and backgrounds. Members of the Order's contributions have formed - and continue to advance - the province’s history and place in Canada and throughout the world.
Named alongside Begg were Will Ferguson, Robert Foster, Catherine Fraser, Stephen Mandel, Kim Ruether, Nancy Southern, and Garnette Sutherland.
