VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts went to artist and UBC Okanagan professor Briar Craig, whose practice not only includes a fine body of prints that he has shown nationally and internationally, but also his involvement in arts culture like instigating the Okanagan Print Triennial. Launched in 2009 at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Okanagan Print Triennial will be happening again in the spring of 2012, this time at the Kelowna Art Gallery. The brainchild of Kelowna-based printmaker Briar Craig, and supported by both galleries, this exhibition is an open, juried show dedicated to showcasing the creative forays made with printmaking in Canada and beyond.

DANCE

Wendy Williams is a belly dancer. During her acceptance speech spoke about some of the misconceptions that belly dancing still faces. She heads dance troupe Get Bent Bellydancers, who performed an energetic and vibrant number at this year’s OAA.

MUSIC

Rosemary Thomson is a Canadian conductor and chorus master. As of 2011, she is the Music Director of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, chorus master of the Calgary Philharmonic, and Assistant Conductor for the Canadian Opera Company. From 1994 to 1996 she was the conductor for the Dundas Valley Orchestra in Hamilton, ON.

LITERARY ARTS

Patricia Donahue is an award-winning Vernon author. Patricia has taught writing at UBC Okanagan, has published short stories in Kelowna’s Event magazine, several anthologies, and is a recent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

THEATRE

The Theatre award was awarded to two people: Nathan Flavel of Kelowna Actor’s Theatre and Catherine Stubbington of Runaway Moon Theatre. Nathan and Kelowna Actor’s Theatre provides Kelowna with a busy dinner theatre venue that showcases local talented actors in all of their productions. Catherine Stubbington’s Runaway Moon Theatre, which she runs out of Enderby, produces beautiful, mystical worlds where stories are brought to life through a mixture of live actors and puppetry.

ARTS EDUCATOR

The Arts Educator Award went to Lake Country Museum and Archives Curator and Friends of Fintry Society Curator/Director Dan Bruce. Decked out in a cowboy hat and belt buckle, Bruce seemed genuinely surprised at his win. With a background in museum training in England’s British Museum, Bruce brings a levels of expertise to his exhibitions that is respected by his colleagues worldwide.

COF COMMUNITY ARTS ASSOCIATION AWARD

The Arts Association Award went to the Kelowna Community Concerts Association who continues to present a rich schedule of performers of international calibre without any public funding, for a cost of only $14 per concert to subscribers.

MEDIA ARTS

The Media Arts Award went to media artist, newcaster and storyteller Tracey Bonneau, who over the years she has effortlessly woven activism, native story telling into stirring video narratives.

SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS

The Castanet 2012 Supporter of the Arts Award went to Yvonne Topf for her work with many of the valley’s great arts organisations, including the Okanagan Symphony, Kelowna Philharmonic Society where she directed the Annual Mozart Festival, the Kelowna Festivals Committee and the Kelowna Community Concerts Association.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Film director Ken Jubenvill, helmed numerous TV series, such as Beachcombers, Wind at my Back, North of 60, Lonesome Dove and many others, as well as documentaries such as The Last Wild Salmon, Stolen Lives, and Tears for April.