Photo caption: Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Richmond City Councillors Andy Hobbs and Bill McNulty with the 2025 Richmond Arts Awards recipients. Left to right: Councillor Andy Hobbs, Councillor Bill McNulty, Peter Grant, Isidora Hoi-Ching Chan, Linda Shirley, Thomas Yu, Ceri Chong representing Tourism Richmond, Rita (Point) Kompst and Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
The City of Richmond and the Richmond Arts Coalition have announced the recipients of the 17th annual Richmond Arts Awards, which recognize artists, cultural leaders, educators, businesses, volunteers and change-makers for their achievements and contributions to the local arts community.
This year’s recipients reflect the vibrancy of Richmond’s arts scene, as well as the city’s next generation of creative talent. A selection committee comprised of community members, artists and arts professionals reviewed nominations representing 77 individuals and organizations to determine this year’s recipients across six categories.
The 2025 Richmond Arts Awards recipients are:
Artistic Innovation and Excellence
Peter Grant
Peter Grant is best known for his detailed recreations of historic Richmond buildings using LEGO™. Whenever he displays these intricate pieces or posts photos of them on social media, he passes along stories of Richmond’s past. He has completed more than two dozen pieces. Peter typically builds these pieces upside down, starting with the roof, without plans or designs — just reference photos, often only working from photos from the City of Richmond Archives. He has permanent displays at the Steveston Tram and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, which help draw in and engage kids (and adults).
Arts Education
Rita (Point) Kompst
Rita was born and raised in Musqueam. Her late father, Joe Becker, a former Musqueam Chief, was a carver and a fisherman. As per her cultural teachings, she started cedar weaving after her father passed and continued weaving on her healing journey as she experienced a series of personal losses over the next seven years. Her mentor, Haida weaver Todd DeVries, encouraged her to begin teaching cedar weaving several years ago. She is now a full-time teacher of weaving and natural-dyeing, primarily at educational facilities, as well as at museums and community centres. Her instruction of both artistic mediums focuses on connecting to where we live, work and play.
Business and the Arts
Tourism Richmond
Tourism Richmond, a non-profit destination marketing organization, promotes Richmond to travelers, residents and meeting planners while collaborating with stakeholders and officials to enhance its appeal. In 2021, the “Pacific. Authentic.” pop-up picnic areas were introduced to support local restaurants during the pandemic, offering outdoor dining spaces. The program has since grown to include 15 artist-painted tables and 12 benches, reflecting Richmond’s “Pacific. Authentic.” brand. Richmond artists such as Laura Kwok, Amy Bao, Atheana Picha and Bea Martin have contributed to the vibrant designs, creating inviting spaces that celebrate the city’s culture and community spirit.
Cultural Leadership
Thomas Yu
Artist Thomas Yu launched the inaugural Richmond Summer Outdoor Arts & Crafts Festival at Minoru Park in 2005, which was remounted in 2006. Leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics, Thomas served on the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee that provided recommendations to Council for cultural events from 2005 to 2010. Thomas was also a member of the City’s Arts Strategy Task Group, contributing to the development of ArtWorks: Richmond Arts Strategy 2019–2024, and for 22 years has served on the board of directors of the Richmond Chinese Community Society in the roles of President and Acting Administrator (2017–2022). More recently, in 2019, the artist’s project “Life Theatre for Seniors” was awarded two federal grants and noted for its significance and impact. Over the years, Thomas has contributed to annual events celebrating Lunar New Year, Asian Heritage Month, Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as arts programs for children, demonstrating his dedication to the local arts community.
Volunteerism
Linda Shirley
For more than 25 years, Linda Shirley has supported Richmond’s arts community through her work with the Community Arts Council of Richmond, currently serving as Vice-President. A passionate advocate for arts education and outreach, she has demonstrated how private businesses can use their resources to work alongside non-profits. Through the Reach to Teach program, Linda has offered free arts programming to underserved students, engaged Syrian and Ukrainian refugees with arts and cultural experiences and provided meeting and exhibition space to others in need. Linda has taught piano in Richmond for 50 years, mentoring young music students and teachers alike. Linda’s unwavering commitment has enriched countless lives and strengthened Richmond’s cultural and community fabric.
Youth Arts
Isidora Hoi-Ching Chan
Isidora Hoi-Ching Chan is a Cantonese-Canadian artist who is active in their community as an educator and assistant at the Richmond Cultural Centre and as a long-time member of the Richmond Youth Media Program. Isidora enjoys connecting with their fellow youth and supporting the arts. Since graduating from Capilano University’s Animation and Visual Development program in 2021 as a prop/character designer, they have gone on to work on animated shows such as Unicorn Academy (Netflix) and Rocket Saves the Day (PBS Kids). Currently, Isidoria is helping to develop the indie-game Am I Nima, a psychological horror narrative game for PC.
Hosted by Mayor Malcolm Brodie, the public awards ceremony was held at Richmond City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 7, and featured a keynote speech by Morna Edmundson, co-founder and Artistic Director of Elektra Choir. The event also included musical performances by the ShowStoppers, Elisa Thorn and Fangfei Music Academy Society.
The Richmond Arts Awards are presented in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and sponsored by Richmond News. For more information, visit richmond.ca/ArtsAwards.