2015 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 12, 2015.

Arts Education
Recognizes an individual or organization whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far reaching.

Miyouki Jego
Since 2009, Miyouki Jego has taught dance at the Richmond Arts Centre (RAC), playing an essential role in the development of the RAC’s Dance program, overseeing syllabus development and working with more than 1,000 dancers. In addition, Miyouki is the Director of the Richmond Youth Dance Company, a pre-professional dance company that trains young dancers, as well as the newly formed Richmond Dance Company for adult dancers. Students and fellow instructors describe her as a mentor and role model citing her collaborative approach and exceptional dedication to the students as individuals.

Finalists: Richmond Academy of Dance and Richmond Music School Society

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.

Glen Andersen
Glen Andersen moved to Richmond in 2009, and has embraced the city and its arts scene, creating public and gallery art, joining community groups and participating in events and exhibitions. Prior to moving here, he spent 25 years in Vancouver, working for the last 15 primarily as a community-engaged artist-designer, often working in pebble and tile mosaic. Recent projects include the large-scale public artwork, Child of the Fraser, at the Public Safety (RCMP) Building on No. 5 Road, sculptural installations at the Richmond Maritime Festival and a video for the Richmond Boatbuilders Society at Britannia Shipyards. He is currently working on a permanent outdoor sculpture for the new housing development at London Landing.

Finalists: Gateway Theatre Pacific Festival 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.

Michael Audain (Polygon Homes)
Under the leadership of real estate developer and philanthropist, Michael Audain, Polygon Homes has been a catalyst for the acceptance of the private development public art program in Richmond. Through their development in City Centre and McLennan South neighbourhoods, Polygon has supported the integration of public art of the highest quality by some of BC’s most talented artists. And, recent contributions of over $800,000 towards public art for the emerging Alexandra neighbourhood will set a new standard for the business community to engage artists in the creation of vibrant communities.

Finalists: Lansdowne Centre and Univar Canada

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.

Geok Bin Phua
Geok Bin Phua first began volunteering at the Richmond Arts Centre in 2011 as one of the first Rooftop Garden volunteers, as both a gardener and public tour guide. Within a year, she was the Volunteer Captain for the Children’s Arts Festival and, with unfailing cheer, punctuality and professionalism, oversaw a large site crew that greeted, assisted and directed an estimated 6500 guests over the course of the festival. Bin has also provided teaching assistance at Arts Centre classes, translated at parent-teacher conferences for the School District, and volunteered with the Museum’s school program. She says that she benefits from these experiences that enable her to have a better understanding of the community.

Finalists: Dan Propp and Marvin Skelton

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. 

Angelica Poversky
Angelica Poversky is a 17-year-old spoken word poet at McMath Secondary who is also a motivational speaker, journalist, broadcaster and event organizer for youth dedicated to promoting environmentalism and social justice. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary journals including Re-Zine, Farrago Magazine and Young Poets of Canada. She has been a writer and contributor to Youthink, The Richmond Review and CBC Generation Why. An avid contributor to the community, in 2013 and 2014 she co-produced Richmond’s first youth arts festival, Arts in the Park, with more than 30 youth performances and visual artists showcased. She also promotes youth performance as a youth director at World Poetry and Healing Using Music.

Finalists: Alexa Fraser and Nancy Zhang

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. 

Sara Holt
Born and raised in West Richmond, Sara spent much of her youth outdoors where she developed a close connection to the environment and found inspiration for her creative abilities. Since graduating from Langara College’s Studio 58 program, she has worked as a professional actor and co-founded DreamRider Productions, an educational theatre company that employs visual arts, theatre and music to impart values regarding environmental, social and historical issues to children across BC. Sara has contributed to DreamRider’s success as a director, performer, costume designer and choreographer and performs various roles, most notably Esmeralda Planet Protector, a female super hero that protects the planet from harm.

Finalists: Bong Ja Ahn and Stephanie Sy

The Richmond Arts Awards was developed in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and is sponsored by the Richmond News.

2015 Selection Committee

• Jonathan Der, Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra 
• Mila Kostic, Visual Artist and Richmond Art Gallery board member
• Adrienne Moore, 2009 (inaugural) winner for Arts Education and visual artist; and
• Andrew Wade, playwright and Richmond Arts Coalition board member

2014 Arts Awards Winners
2013 Arts Award Winners
2012 Arts Award Winners
2011 Arts Award Winners
2010 Arts Award Winners
2009 Arts Award Winners