2018 Arts Awards
2018 Arts Awards
The City of Richmond is delighted to congratulate the six winners of the tenth annual Richmond Arts Awards, as presented by Mayor Malcolm Brodie at a ceremony in Council Chambers on May 15, 2018.
Arts Education
Recognizes an individual or organization whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far reaching.
2018 Arts Education Winner: Ted Hesketh
Ted Hesketh has taught and made music for 50 years, having first picked up a guitar at age ten. In 1973, Ted became the first accepted Classical Guitar Major at UBC studying under Theo Bagchus, protégé of the late great classical guitarist, José Thomas. As a student of jazz improvisation, Ted studied at Western Washington University and Douglas College. He was hired by the Surrey School District in 1975 to set up and design the first classroom guitar programs in the province. Ted has subsequently established himself as an independent music education specialist, providing workshops for schools and is the author of music education resource materials. He inspired thousands of students across Canada to discover the joys of improvisation with his interactive jazz workshops and was nominated for the Cmolik Prize in 2016 for the Enhancement of K-12 Public Education in British Columbia.
Finalists: Judy Ann McCarthy and Patricia Rolston
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.
2018 Artistic Innovation Winner: Kerri-Jo Stewart
Kerri-Jo Stewart is an award-winning artist and photographer whose work has been published in a variety of newspapers and books and in international exhibitions. She is always seeking out new ways to capture the outside world through her camera and is adventurous in her exploration into long exposure, pinhole and other techniques to create unique imagery. The subjects she captures often celebrate the natural beauty of Richmond’s landscape. She also enjoys sharing her skills by acting as a mentor to aspiring photographers through workshops and lectures.
Finalists: Fuwei Gao and Joel Baziuk
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.
2018 Business and the Arts Winner: Ampri Real Estate Development Group
Amit Sanhu, CEO of Ampri Real Estate Development Group, is a developer who contributes to Richmond public art commissions. Noticing a lack of emerging artists bidding on public art projects, he approached Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s Dr. Cameron Cartiere, who specializes in public art and community engagement, to create opportunities, tools and experiences for young emerging artists. This collaboration, which was expanded to include the City of Richmond Public Art Program and Stantec Community Planning Consultants and resulted in the development of a new ECUAD course, The Social Practice of Public Art and Community Design. The importance of public art, to Amit, is how it can build a community around it, ignite positive interaction and instill public identity.
Finalists: Aberdeen Centre and TD Bank Group
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.
2018 Volunteerism Winner: Dale Bailey
In 2009, one year into retirement after 30 years of teaching in Richmond, Dale Bailey volunteered to work with children, to share her skills and give back to the arts community at the Richmond Art Gallery. Since then, Dale has proven to be an invaluable volunteer classroom assistant for the Gallery’s School Art Program, and has selflessly given her time assisting at arts events, the installation of exhibitions and training new volunteers. She is a committed and passionate educator and mentor, an essential leader and art enthusiast. Her dedication to creating an inspiring experience and welcome environment for children and youth to learn exemplifies her love of teaching and mentoring. Thanks to Dale’s wealth of knowledge and experience in teaching practices and classroom management, the Gallery’s School Art program has thrived.
Finalists: Jiliang Yao and Ray Chin
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.
2018 Youth Arts Winner: Emily May
As an emerging multidisciplinary artist, Emily May has made a significant contribution to the arts in Richmond and beyond. Emily received her Fine Arts diploma from Langara College with accolades, receiving the Ceramics Studio Award. She is also an integral member of the Richmond Youth Media Program where she developed her skills in digital media; participated in collaborative, community-based projects; and documented high-profile events and projects. Emily is a passionate community activist and event organizer; in the summers of 2013 and 2014, she co-directed Arts in the Park, an outdoor arts festival for youth. She has also acted as a youth representative on the judging panel for the City of Richmond Banner Contest.
Finalists: Shawn Chang and Tal Mader
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.
2018 Cultural Leadership Winner: Marina Szijarto
Marina Szijarto is a professional artist with almost 30 years of experience in diverse contemporary arts practices including community-engaged arts, celebrations and installations. She is an award-winning theatre professional who designs and creates sets, costumes and puppets for professional performance events. She has been the art and technical director for Mountain View Cemetery’s Night for All Souls since 2004. She created the annual Harvest Full Moon Festival, a series of multidisciplinary workshops and public events that bring together community members for performances and ceremonies that involve eco arts music, food and lantern processions. Marina is also responsible for the co-creation of The Voice of the River, acts a mentor to local aspiring artists, contributes to the annual Art About Finn Slough exhibition, is the site art director and installation coordinator of the Richmond Maritime Festival, as well as a past board member of the Richmond Arts Coalition.
Finalists: Cathy Bayley and Yvonne Walls
2018 Selection Committee
The selection panel reviewed 86 nominations for consideration of the 2018 Richmond Arts Awards.
- Playwright, actor and stage manager Andrew Wade
- Winner of the 2017 Business and the Arts Award and Marketing Manager at Lansdowne Mall, Bronwyn Bailey
- Contemporary visual artist, Jeanette Jarville
- Board member of the Richmond Arts Coalition, Susan Skemp.
The Richmond Arts Awards was developed in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and is sponsored by the Richmond News.
The awards program was developed in 2009 by the City of Richmond in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition. It is presented with support from The Richmond News.