2014 Arts Awards
The City of Richmond is delighted to congratulate the six winners of the sixth annual Richmond Arts Awards, as presented by Mayor Malcolm Brodie at a ceremony in Council Chambers on May 6, 2014. Arts Education
Recognizes an individual or organization whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far reaching.
The Arts Connection
In 1990, The Arts Connection was founded by Linda Shirley with the belief that every child has something profound to gain from a quality arts education. Originally a home based music studio, the institution has since grown to offer visual and performing arts instruction, Early Learning programs and a Before & After School program that services four Richmond schools. Last year, inspired by the disparity in educational opportunities that exist between Richmond’s students and those in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, The Arts Connection—with support from the Community Arts Council of Richmond—established “Immersed in the Arts...Reach to Teach”, partnering Grade 7 students from both neighbourhoods to create together and learn from each other.
Finalists: Joan Brander and Debbie Tobin
Artistic Innovation
Recognizes an individual artist or organization that is producing visionary creative work, exhibiting innovation within their arts discipline and/or bringing a new cultural experience to the city of Richmond.
Richmond in 3D
Since 2009, Richmond in 3D has used innovative artistic formats to stimulate and support community-based dialogue and action on diversity, anti-racism, anti-bullying, anti-discrimination and immigrant settlement issues. A project of the Richmond Multicultural Community Services, and part of the BC Government’s Welcoming and Inclusive Communities program, Richmond in 3D brings interactive theatre, music, movement, visual arts and more to engage and meet the needs of students, families and organizations and to nurture an environment for expression and collaborative problem-solving. Over the years, this volunteer troupe has served over 2000 participants in Richmond.
Finalists: Glen Andersen and Marina Szijarto
Business and the Arts
Recognizes a business that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Richmond by supporting a Richmond-based artist or arts organization through sponsorship, philanthropic and/or volunteer service.
Accent Inns
Gateway Theatre’s relationship with Chris Browne, General Manager at Accent Inns Vancouver Airport, began with the 2008–2009 Season when the hotel became the theatre’s accommodation sponsor. Since then, their participation has continued to grow to a level where Accent Inns is Gateway Theatre’s largest sponsor, having provided accommodation for cast and crew for many productions. Through Chris’s relationship with the Rotary Club of Richmond, he has also spearheaded a fundraiser at the theatre to benefit the Gateway Academy for the Performing Arts which helps keep the program accessible for families.
Finalists: Michael Audain and Richmond Steel Recycling Ltd.
Volunteerism
Recognizes an individual that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Richmond by supporting a Richmond-based artist or arts organization through volunteer service.
Loraine Wellman
A professional visual artist and retired art teacher, Loraine is has lent her time and talents to many local arts initiatives over the years, including the Artists Among Us program for the Richmond Art Gallery, Community Living Association’s 25th Anniversary mural, Doors Open, Steveston Grand Prix of Art and Fraser River Art Festival at London Heritage Farm. She is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and Vice-President of the Richmond Artists Guild, where she has been a member for 22 years, and has been involved in coordinating many exhibits of Richmond artists including one at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island.
Finalists: Geok Bin Phua and Floyd Corey
Youth Arts
Recognizes a performing, literary or visual artist, 24 years of age or younger, who has demonstrated outstanding promise and commitment to the Richmond arts community.
Andrew Cohen
Andrew is a singer, dancer, actor and director who credits the Gateway Theatre for his start. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UBC, where he delivered the Valedictory Address in 2011, an honour bestowed for his work as the creative force behind the viral YouTube sensation, UBC Lipdub, organizing more than 1000 students and a technical team of 60. The video was viewed more than two million times and attracted media attention from three continents. In the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony, he sang as a featured soloist, and has appeared on stage across Canada, and in film and television with 20th Century Fox and CBC.
Finalists: Alexa Fraser and Angelica Poversky
Cultural Leadership
Recognizes an arts professional or organization as a leader in their arts discipline, their organization stewardship and/or their contribution to Richmond’s cultural development.
RichCity Idol
RichCity Idol instils a spirit of collaboration and volunteerism across the Richmond School District with an annual charity-raising evening of singing performances at the Gateway Theatre. Since its beginnings in 2004, hundreds of students have gained invaluable leadership, organizing, production and performance experience, nearly $22,000 has been donated to charitable causes, and the RichCity Idol Endowment Fund has been established to provide two scholarships for post-secondary training in the performing arts. The event won the Volunteers are Stars Nova Award in 2014 and was voted Richmond’s third “Best Community Event” and “Best Live Entertainment” in 2013 and 2008 by The Richmond Review.
Finalists: Bong Ja Ahn and Aarthi Naidu
The Richmond Arts Awards was developed in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and is sponsored by the Richmond News.
2014 Selection Committee
- Suzanne Haines, General Manager, Gateway Theatre
- Radka Hladil, Program Assistant, Kwantlen Polytechnic University School of Design
- Jon Lee-Son, founder of Tickle Me Pickle and 2012 winner for Arts Education
- Margaret Stephens, treasurer and primary administrator, Community Arts Council of Richmond
2013 Arts Award Winners
2012 Arts Award Winners
2011 Arts Award Winners
2010 Arts Award Winners
2009 Arts Award Winners