Following Kimberley Arts Council’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday evening, March 9, the arts council’s annual awards to individuals and businesses making outstanding contributions to the arts in the community were presented in the Gallery at Centre 64, along with the Goolden Award to a top piano student nominated by the East Kootenay Music Teachers’ Association. Arts council president Mike Redfern welcomed the attendees to the awards reception and, assisted by board member Helen Robertson, made the presentations.

First up was grade 12 student Emily Daly to receive the Goolden Award in recognition of her high marks in the grade 10 conservatory piano exam and her outstanding achievements in all aspects of her piano studies. Among other achievements Emily performed in a concerto with the Symphony of the Kootenays in December 2015. She has applied to study at the Ambrose University in Calgary next year. The $300 award will contribute to the costs of her future studies.

The Arts & Culture Business Award for 2017 was presented to the Chateau Kimberley Hotel and Gallery. It was accepted by Kimberley artist Maryann Bidder on behalf of hotel owners, Val and Ted Fitch. Maryann is responsible for the organization of the gallery exhibits at Chateau Kimberley, which is open to the public free of charge from May to December. The gallery exhibits works by Kootenay artists.

Kimberley artist Lori Joe was the recipient of the individual Arts & Culture Award in recognition not only of her paintings of Kimberley and the surrounding area, including her very popular “Micky Mouse Houses” pictures, but also of her contributions to the art education of others through teaching Creative Kids classes and facilitating the increasingly popular painting nights for adults that have begun to be a regular event at Centre 64.

The awards reception featured music on the keyboard by pianist Daniel Bailey and the usual sumptuous finger foods by Carol Fergus, along with a selection of wines.

At the preceding AGM new directors Ellen Chase, Lori Craig, Kathy Murphy and Jeff Pew were elected to the arts council board. They join re-elected directors Carol Fergus, Jennifer Morgan, Helen Robertson, and Adam Tomlinson and continuing directors Don Davies and Mike Redfern. Redfern was re-elected president for a third term. The new board will hold its first meeting on Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m.

Pictured above: From left, Mary Ann Bidder, Emily Daly, Lori Joe. Photo submitted

Kimberley Arts Council

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