It’s a time for artists to take centre stage in recognition of their work in Kelowna and area.
This week, The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan is announcing the nominees for the 9th Annual Okanagan Arts Awards.
Photo Credit: ARTSCO.
The awards were created by ARTSCO in 2007 to celebrate local artists of every medium.
Their goal is to acknowledge artistic work and show how important it is to creating a vibrant community.
“The nominations were phenomenal this year,” said Katie Brennan, Executive Director of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan. “We went from 41 nominations in the Central Okanagan last year to 113!”
Photo Credit: ARTSCO.Okanagan Arts Award sculptures in progress – a collaborative project with Cool Arts Artists and previous Okanagan Arts Awards winners
Three nominees in each category will be going through as finalists to the Okanagan Arts Awards Gala Evening, held Saturday, May 28, at the Habitat in downtown Kelowna.
Finalists will be announced next week.
Artistic Excellence – Visual Art:
- Constance Bachman
- Kelsie Balehowsky
- Rose Braun
- Jody Bruce
- Connor Charlesworth
- Danielle Englesby
- Jane Everett
- Erica Hawkes
- Natasha Harvey
- Asher J Klassen
- Laurie Koss
- Suzanne Le Stage
- Wanda Lock
- Linda Lovisa
- Jolene Mackie
- Moyna Macdonnell
- Don Makela
- Brandy Masch
- Aaron Metz
- Carrie Mitchell
- Heather Lynne Parlane
- Sarah Parsons
- Bramble Lee Pryde
- Shayla Ritchie
- Grant Robinson
- Laura Widmer
- Bobby Vandenhoorn
- Connie Vetter-Johnson
- Meghan Wise
- Nicole Young
- Kyle Zsomber
Artistic Excellence – Dance:
- Kinshira Performance Troupe
- Lucy Hazelwood (LU KI Dance Productions)
- Loretta Lachner
- Janessa McGrath
- Samantha Sambrielaz
- Artistic Excellence – Music:
- Alexandra Babbel, Opera Kelowna
- Stephen Buck (Honour in the Arts)
- Kelly Derrickson
- Andrew Judah
- Adam Meachem
- Hilary Ross (Syren and the Waves)
- Darren Williams
- Wild Son
Artistic Excellence – Literature:
- Ronald Derrickson
- Lesley Anne Evans
- Cherie Hanson
- Ashley Little
- Michael V. Smith
Artistic Excellence – Theatre:
- Cori Derickson
- Kinshira Preformance Troupe
- David Kopp
- Robert Mason-Brown
- Shangning Zhu
- Randall J. Robinson
Artistic Excellence – Time Based Media:
- Benjamin Musgrave
- Todd Ramsay
- Nick Schafer – Fresh Finish Media
Artistic Excellence – Applied Arts:
- Cortnee Chulo
- Missy Mackintosh
- Bri Stein
- Art Felt Collaborative
Emerging Artist:
- Kelsie Balehowsky
- Connor Charlesworth
- Danielle Englesby
- Asher J Klassen
- Jolene Mackie
- Tascheleia Marangoni
- Janessa McGrath
- Benjamin Musgrave
- Hilary Ross (Syren and the Waves)
- Connie Vetter-Johnson
- Nicole Young
- Shangning Zhu
Art & Business:
- Brazen Edwards
- Cedar Creek Estate Winery
- Jenn Kyllo – Pinot & Picasso
- Linda Lovisa – New Moon Art Gallery
- Carrie Mayhew – Ginger Creative
- Bramble Lee Pryde – Wolf + Sadie
- Bri Stein – Bri Stein Artistry
Business Supporter
- Float Space
- Investors Group
- The Heritage – Retirement Living
- Raymond James Ltd
- Rileys Pub
Community Impact
- Opera Kelowna
- Cool Arts
- Federation of Canadian Artists – Central Okanagan Chapter
- Jazz Jam
- Kelowna Arts Council
- Sncəwips Heritage Museum
- Lake Country Art Gallery
- Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
- Summer Arts Scene for Youth (SASFY)
- Suk’ʷtəmsqilxʷ West Kelowna Arts Council
Innovation:
- Opera Kelowna
- Cool Arts
- Shimshon Obadia
- Bramble Lee Pryde
- Hilary Ross (Syren and the Waves)
- Connie Vetter-Johnson
- Darren Williams
- Kyle Zsombor
- Lifetime Achievement:
- Sharon McCoubrey
