VISUAL ARTS

Gary Pearson is an artist and Associate Professor at UBC Okanagan. He is also an exhibition curator, art writer, and author of the book The Creative Voice: Life and Art in the Okanagan. Gary's personal exhibition history includes solo and group exhibitions in North America, Australia, and Europe.

DANCE

Tanya Bakala is the Founder and Artistic Director at Mission Dance Centre. As a professional dancer and soloist in Europe, Tanya has danced a variety of styles, ranging from a classical to musical theatre. Today she coaches young dancers in hopes of assisting the next generation of dancers achieve their goals.

MUSIC

Anna Jacyszyn is a jazz singer. Anna lived and worked as a jazz singer for 20 years in England and Asia, performing and touring with world-class musician from the globe. Anna founded Kelowna's Jazz Cafe -- a speakeasy of jazz music with the hope of engaging local and aspiring jazz musicians within the Okanagan community.

LITERARY ARTS

Nancy Holmes is a writer of both short fiction and poetry and is also a professor at UBC Okanagan. She teaches Creative Writing at UBC Okanagan and has served as both the Head of the Department of Creative Studies and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies during her tenure. Nancy has also published five collections of poetry.

THEATRE

Louise Sjoquist served on many boards in Kelowna supporting causes that included social and political issues, human rights and animal rights. She loved animals, especially cats, and in her book club couldn't read anything that dealt with animal cruelty.

One of her primary areas of involvement was with community theatre. She joined Theatre Kelowna Society in 1981 and gave 40 years of service as board member, treasurer, costume designer, costume room manager, actor, set painter, set designer, and cookie provider. In general Louise would run any errand anybody needed at anytime with a smile.

ARTS EDUCATOR

Leroy Wiens is the choir director of the Okanagan Festival Singers and the Okanagan Community Choir. Having studied with noted Canadian conductors William Baerg and James Fankhauser, Leroy's conducting repertoire includes a full range of experiences from large choral/orchestral works to a cappella standards. Leroy is currently employed in the Central Okanagan School District as a music specialist.

SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Born in the Netherlands, internationally acclaimed artist Geert Maas is a 2D and 3D artist specialising in sculpture, painting, reliefs, and medallic art. Geert and his wife Elly created the Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens and Gallery upon moving to Kelowna in 1979, which features one of the largest collections of bronze sculptures in Canada.