‘Heroes Wall of Fame’ class of 2023 announced

Another dozen local “cultural icons” have been chosen as the 2023 class of inductees into the Heroes Wall of Fame.

Housed at the Chatham Cultural Centre, the Heroes Wall of Fame was launched last year by the Chatham-Kent Arts and Culture Network (CKACN), a community arts council that supports the arts and cultural sector of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, said a media release.

“After our successful first year, we are thrilled to announce our second class of 12 inductees to the Heroes Wall of Fame,” said Dan White, CKACN chair in the release.

“The Wall honors those individuals or groups, present and past, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field or artistic practice both within and beyond Chatham-Kent,” he said. “These inductees deserve our recognition for the passion they’ve shown, the attention they’ve received, and the pride of community they’ve fostered in all of us.”

Annual inductions take place under six categories: visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, literary arts and cultural builders.

Here is the 2023 Class of Inductees, including their home communities:

• Alexander M. Fleming, painter (Chatham)
• Larry Towell, photographer and photojournalist (Wallaceburg)

• 

• Ron Pardo, comic-impressionist and voice actor (Pardoville)
• David Farquhar, audio producer and entrepreneur (Chatham)
  

  

• Michelle Wright, singer and songwriter (Merlin)
• Chatham Concert Band, orchestra (Chatham-Kent)
  

  

• Lisa Lester, dancer, choreographer and cultural entrepreneur (Chatham)
• Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit Pow-Wow, Indigenous dance (Delaware on the Thames First Nation at Moraviantown)

• John Beardall, broadcaster and entrepreneur (Chatham)
• Kiwanis Music Festival, youth music development (Chatham-Kent)
  

  

“These inducements were chosen from the nominations provided by citizens and the oversight committee and, as it was last year, final selections were difficult,” said James Snyder, chair of the Wall of Fame committee, in the release. “There are many worthy candidates to bring forward for recognition in future years.”

Efforts were made to represent various communities around the municipality, as well as honor both legacy and more contemporary choices, said the CKACN.

The Heroes Wall of Fame is sponsored by Waste Connections Canada, operator of the Ridge Landfill, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Forward Together grant program.

“We are here at Waste Connections of Canada. . . are proud to partner with our host communities to help recognize and celebrate artistic excellence that has had an impact at home and, in many cases, across Canada and the world,” said Cathy Smith, project manager, in the release. “Highlighting the success and contributions of these individuals and groups can help inspire future generations of young artists to chase their own dreams and achievements.”

An induction ceremony is being held at the Chatham Armory on Oct. 11 at 7 pm Doors open at 6 pm The public is welcome but must RSVP in advance to [email protected].