Abbotsford’s arts community come out in full force to honour its own on Friday night as the ninth annual Arty Awards took place at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
The event, which is sponsored by the Abbotsford Arts Council, honours individuals who have achieved excellence in their art as well as youth artists and arts advocates who have contributed significantly to the arts scene in the Abbotsford community.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Judy Whyte, who retired as executive director of the Abbotsford Arts Council last spring after 15 years of service.
A tribute also took place to honour the memory of Christine Caldwell, a former president of the Abbotsford Arts Council, city councillor, and a strong advocate of the arts in Abbotsford, who passed away in February.
The evening also included plenty of entertainment, and a silent auction.
In all 12 awards were handed out. The Arty Award recipients for 2013 are:
Outstanding Artist in the Visual Arts – 2-Dimensional
Betty Johnston, Photographer
Outstanding Artist in the Visual Arts – 3-Dimensional
Kaleigh Ross, (BC Teen Challenge Women’s Centre), Jewelry Artist
Outstanding Artist in the Visual Arts – Video/Film
Paul Lowey (Gloo Studios), Executive Producer
Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Music
Kristal Barrett, Singer/Songwriter
Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Dance
Mary Boonstra, Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Theatre
Eileen Deros, Theatre Rehearsal/Orchestral Pianist
Outstanding Artist in the Literary Arts
Heidi Turner, Freelance Writer
Christine Caldwell Outstanding Arts Advocate Award
Kat Wahamaa, Artist/Activist
Outstanding Youth Artist – Elementary School, All Genres
Rachel Fritzke – Painter/Clay Sculptor
Outstanding Youth Artist – Secondary School, All Genres
Maddison Wilson, Photographer
Outstanding Artist, Post-Secondary School, All Genres
Chrissy Courtney, Bachelor of Fine Arts Student, University of the Fraser Valley
Lifetime Achievement Award
Judy Whyte, Past Executive Director of the Abbotsford Arts Council