VISUAL ARTS

Judith invented and runs the North Okanagan Artists Alternative (NOAA - gathering together over 80 regional artists) and opened up possibilities for group shows, juried as well as solo shows. She has constructed Gallery Vertigo in downtown Vernon as a cultural centre for the arts, and has run professional development courses for her members; hosting many songwriters like Ken Hamm and Sid Mutfy. She has worked closely with Okanagan College for five years, sponsoring eight Vertigo Voices Reading Series, enabling over eight hundred people to hear some of the strongest and strangest literary voices in the valley. Judith really has created an alternative space for artists, and has committed herself to the collective ideal of the artist-run gallery. She has done all this with very little public funding. Putting together the North Okanagan Artist's Alternative (NOAA), and disseminating information for artists through her newsletter, keeping them informed about the current artistic happenings in the North Okanagan and Vernon area.

“As a member, board member and past president of the NOAA I have watched and participated as Judith brought the organization and Gallery Vertigo to the for front of the art scene in Vernon. She has managed to keep the fledgling organization going without any public funding or financial compensation. Gallery Vertigo has become an artistic hub for many artists and community members. A place with great art shows, literary readings and music. As a member of the Vernon community Judith is also a wonderful artist and continues to pursue her artistic vision as well as give a helping hand to the rest of us on the journey” – Robin McDonald

DANCE

Tanya has taught ballet and flamenco in Germany, the Czech Republic, in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Vancouver, and Kelowna. Besides coaching and teaching ballet and flamenco, she was also ballet mistress to InMoition Dance Company in Toronto and Velocity Dance Company in Kelowna. Tanya started the Mission Dance Centre in 2003 in a small studio on Pandosy Street near KLO in Kelowna.

Her choreographic work have been seen at the Montreal Fringe Festival, the Music Hall in Toronto, Vancouver Kiss Project, and Hamilton Place with the Hamilton philharmonic Orchestra, McMaster University and at the Mayor's Gala '97 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. Tanya was also commissioned by Canadian School of Ballet to choreograph some of the segments of The Nutcracker in 2002.

“Tanya is a consummate artist. She excels in several areas as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, founder and head of her own dance company and as a concert organizer. Her choreography and dance performances cover a wide stylistic gamut, from classical ballet to modern dance and Flamenco. Not only is she a brilliant and well-trained dancer, but also the high level of performance demonstrated by her many students and her professional dance company speaks to her excellent leadership and high artistic standards, which she imparts to her students. In her choreography she expresses a deep understanding of music and movement. She is a joy to collaborate with.” – Stu Goldberg

MUSIC

Denis has been a pioneer and leader in the Okanagan Arts community since 1975. His contributions include: Concertmaster of the Okanagan Symphony; classical and jazz violinist; orchestra contractor; dedicated instructor and founding teacher at the Vernon and Kelowna Community Music Schools; and youth orchestra conductor.

He has founded and performed over the past three decades with: Heartstrings string quartet, Romanza del Arco string duo, the Letourneau-Goldberg duo, and the Green Dragon jazz quartet.

“Denis has donated his talents to perform for countless fund-raising events, and as an educator, he is dedicated to inspiring young people in the arts. He has taught hundreds of budding violinists, some of who have gone on into careers in music and music education including former Vernonite Keiko Araki, a recently tenured violinist with the Portland Symphony. Denis is a leader. He plays and teaches up and down the Okanagan Valley, in the Kamloops area and in Lilloet, many hours of travel are added to an already taxing schedule; 45,000 kilometres per year. Denis exemplifies the best of a true artist. He is an instrumental performing artist and teacher. All this while he maintains the life of a family man”. - Catherine Dawson

THEATRE

Shakespeare Kelowna has spent the last 22 year's producing fantastic interpretations of William Shakespeare's plays. Whether it’s the psychedelic ’60s, the Fascist ’30s or Elizabethan doublet, hose and swords, Shakespeare Kelowna has garnered a reputation for presenting unique and exciting interpretations of the Bard’s works.

DESIGN

Janice has been designing jewelry for over 25 years. Her work is mainly contemporary with some influence of the Native Southwest where she lived for 13 years. Janice is an encouragement to all people who want to follow their passion. She helps people to realize that they can do anything they desire, no matter what their age! She has been a mentor to aspiring artists for years, sharing her passion and knowledge with kindness, good humour and lots of patience. Her students range from accomplished artist, who may be exploring a new medium, to the complete neophyte, who has never made a piece of jewelry before. With her dedicated expertise and her kind, patient, witty delivery of the class lessons, Studio 203 is usually a place filled with laughter. She claims jewelry-making is good for your health - improves your memory and alertness, is a fast relief from stress, eliminates wrinkles except for laugh lines, and gives you amazing vitality. She and her husband were instrumental in beginning the Waldorf School in Kelowna, B.C. where children are encouraged to use all forms of art to express themselves, and to learn and grow. Teachers have the opportunity to enhance core subjects with poetry, painting, modeling and drama. Janice's contribution includes helping with the arts & crafts projects and participating in the yearly Christmas craft show to raise funds for the school.

“I believe that Janice makes at least one basic assumption when you join her classes; that you have some hidden talent - she gently brings this out so that whatever you create, is truly yours. Her genuine delight with the end product makes you feel as though you've achieved greatness! In a short time, I've learned many things from Janice, including appreciation of the work of artists in general. The lesson most important to me though, is that I can learn to do something entirely new. Janice is a wonderful role model because she challenges herself, not only with her jewelry but with other opportunities - how can I say, 'I'm too old to do this' when she is my senior and is marching forward?” - Jennie Sato

ARTS EDUCTOR

Rhonda is a researcher, educator, presenter, performer and curriculum developer specializing in integrating music and movement across the curriculum and developing musicianship in students. She has been a teacher for all grade levels, and is a children's performer, conference presenter and music specialist in the public school system.

MEDIA

A documentary filmmaker and writer, Jim has been in the film and television industry since the age of 20. He cut his film teeth in the United Kingdom at the famous Ealing Studios on the BBC's first season of “Dr. Who”, as well as “Not Only But Also” with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

Jim also edited music videos for The Police, U2, Stray Cats, April Wine, and in Hollywood cut “Rocky Mountain Oprey” for Capitol Records, starring Emmy Lou Harris.

After moving to Vernon he produced and filmed “The Hyderabad Solution” in India on the restoration of 17th Century manuscripts submerged in water and sewage. After a screening in Prague for the Czech government, his client was awarded the contract for a huge restoration project. The film was nominated for the restoration industry's Phoenix award, and the director's cut was screened at Vernon Towne Cinema and at the 2005 Okanagan Film Festival.

“Jim's career in the film and television industry has spanned more than thirty yeans, and since coming to the Okanagan in 2001, his outstanding contribution to the community includes the documentary film "Sveva - Prisoner of Vernon," the tragic story of a local artist, "The Mask," about local potter Bob Kingsmill, and “Whose Grandma Are You?" about the Meadows School Project, to name just a very few. When you watch a Jim Elderton film, you just know that you are witnessing something special, and that big things are in the future for this talented" hardworking, and insightful man. He creates art onscreen. He's every artist in one - he paints us a picture, sculpts it to form, tells us a story, photographs, directs, and produces.” – Carolyn Grant

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Governor General Michaelle Jean appointed her a Laureate in the Visual Arts in 2007. She is a member of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of British Columbia and holds five honorary doctorates from universities including Okanagan University College (2001) and Thompson Rivers University (2007). The Woodland school of artists, centered in Northern Ontario, claims Daphne as a respected leader and beloved Elder.

Daphne has lived and painted in the Okanagan/ Shuswap since 1976. She was commissioned by the Canadian Museum of Civilization to create a masterpiece mural, “The lndian in Transition”. Daphne retired to Penticton in 1999 but at 88 years, continues to draw and to exhibit..

“An artist of Pottawatomi, Odawa, and English background, Odjig is both an outstanding artist and an honoured role model. Her practices as an artist and cultural worker have greatly enriched the development of contemporary practices in the visual arts in Canada, her name and images are known worldwide. We believe that it is important to recognize Daphne Odjig with this award, not only for Odjig herself, but for all Aboriginal artists. It would recognize the remarkable achievements of an even more remarkable woman, who paved the way for so many Aboriginal artists in a time when female artists let alone female Aboriginal artists – had so often fight their way into acceptance within the contemporary visual art scene” – Jann Bailey, Executive Director, Kamloops Art Gallery