The Beluga Award, is presented each May by the Bedford
Institute of Oceanography-Oceans Association A pewter sculpture
of a beluga whale, mounted on a base of polished black granite,
is presented to the winner as a symbol of the Award.
Winners
Criteria
The Beluga Award recognizes
employees who have exhibited unselfish dedication to community
spirit at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO).The Award
recognizes individuals in any professional or technical field,
craft or skill who have made exceptional contributions to the
success of BIO projects, initiatives or programs. These
contributions should exemplify unselfish effort that encourages
cooperation and fosters the team-work approach of BIO.All present
and past employees who work or have worked at BIO in any field or
specialization are eligible. It is intended that this Award
should recognize all professions including ships crew,
administrative personnel, technicians and scientists.
History of the Beluga Recognition Award
In 1999 the idea of a
Bedford Institute of Oceanography recognition award was first
conceived to pay tribute to those who had contributed their
talents and work to making BIO a successful and well recognized
oceanographic institute. At the BIO Oceans Alumni Annual General
Meeting in May 2000 this concept was presented to the membership
for approval of the draft criteria for selection of any person
who had worked or was still working at BIO. The membership
approved the general concept, with the executive given the
responsibility to select an appropriate symbol to be presented to
a person chosen to receive the award.
During the summer and fall
of 2000 work began to choose a symbol of the awards. Initial
thoughts were that the symbol should have a well-recognized
association with oceanography. It was also desirable that this
symbol be as " Canadian" as possible. Dr. Paul Brodie
was asked to develop ideas for a model of a marine fish or animal
that would serve this purpose. He readily selected the beluga
whale as an ideal marine mammal that could be used. It was hoped
that the symbol could be made as a work of art that would be
proudly displayed in the home of any award winner. Paul made a
model of a beluga whale that was about 11 inches (28 cm) long.
This model was formed in clay and baked. Paul, who is an expert
on the beluga (his PhD was based on this animal), formed the
whale so that its head was turned slightly, a feature that
represents a unique ability of this species of cetacean.
The next
step was to find a material and technique for fabricating the
beluga that could be used for presentation. A molding and casting
technique was most desirable in order to preserve the details of
Paul's model. Several fabrication companies were contacted to see
if they could construct a mold. Only one firm was willing to
attempt a mold and cast of such a large item: Amos Pewter of
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. They had never attempted such a large
item in all of their casting experience. Part of the problem was
to make a large mold of silicon-rubber and then to get molten
pewter to flow uniformly into all extremities of the mold. The
second problem would be to have the metal cool in the mold at
uniform rates so that no changes in crystal sizes would form.
After several attempts they were successful in producing a
prototype and a production item that weighed about 6 lbs (2.7
kg).
The final step in the whale fabrication was to achieve a
satin polish finish on the pewter.
There were additional
difficulties in finding a suitable stand on which to mount the
pewter beluga whale. Again several companies were consulted for
ideas and materials. It was desirable, if possible, to mount the
beluga in such a way that it could be picked up from the support
stand and examined in all aspects. The final choice was a black
granite base that complemented the metallic luster of the pewter.
An acrylic support raised the whale above the granite base. The
weight of the pewter whale on the acrylic support would provide
sufficient stability to the entire piece. The base and support
are fabricated by Atlantex Creative Works, East Chezzetcook, Nova
Scotia.