The Abbotsford Arts Council announced the winners of its 10th annual Arty Awards at a celebration on Saturday night at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
The awards recognize individuals who have achieved excellence in their art, as well as arts advocates who have contributed significantly to the arts scene.
Recipients of the 2014 Arty Awards were:
– Davina Graham, photographer, Visual Arts – 2-Dimensional;
– Alexis MacLeod, floral artistry, Visual Arts – 3-Dimensional;
– Nicole Provost, writer/director, Visual Arts – New Media;
– Johan Worst, musician and music teacher, Performing Arts – Music;
– Lorissa Arndt, dancer/choreographer/performer, Performing Arts – Dance;
– Andrew Abrahams, actor, Performing Arts – Theatre;
– Phillip Sherwood, writer/editor/personal historian, Literary Arts;
– Neil Loewen, visual artist/musician, Outstanding Arts Advocate;
– CIVL Radio, Outstanding Arts Organization;
– Stanley Moriyama, musician, Outstanding Youth Artist (elementary school, all genres);
– Cambree Lovesy, singer/songwriter, Outstanding Youth Artist (secondary school, all genres);
– Chelsea Rus, opera singer/instructor, Outstanding Artist (post-secondary, all genres); and
– Donna Bishop, found of MSA Poets Potpourri Society, Lifetime Achievement Award.
A special farewell tribute was also made to Suzanne Greening, past executive director of The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford and strong arts advocate, who recently accepted a new position as director of the Audain Art Museum in Whistler.