We had a wonderful time celebrating the Arts in Abbotsford.

 The Arty Awards took place on Saturday, October 29th, 2011
at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium
32315 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, BC

 2011 Winners

Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Music: Brent Ellis

Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Theatre: Sheridan Tochkin

Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts – Dance: Charlene Hart

Outstanding Artist in the Visual Arts: Irene Enns

Outstanding Artist in the Literary Arts: Gwynne Hunt

Outstanding Arts Advocate: Dave Farmer

Outstanding Emerging Artist: Ann Grundy

Outstanding Youth Emerging Artist (Secondary School): B. Ethan Murley

Outstanding Youth Emerging Artist (Elementary School): Ben Ellis

Life Time Achievement Award: Ernie Poignant

2011 Nominees and Profiles

 
Outstanding Artists in the Performing Arts - Theatre

Margaret Kennedy
Margaret has performed in almost all of the Fraser Valley Stage shows since 199.  On Stage Margaret dances, sings and portrays personas such as the Charwomen in A Christmas Carol and Isabella Paige in the Starlight Radio theatre Show as only she can.  Off Stage Margaret volunteers her time organizing competitive trips to International Festivals for the Fraser Valley Stage.  

Sheridan Tochkin
Sheridan has devoted 35 years to teaching and promoting the arts through integration with an emphasis on drama skills.  Sheridan's goal has been to use the medium of drama to bring students to an awareness of "their souls", so that they can make connections with others and be authentically empathetic.  Sheridan is passionate fundraiser for a school in Kenya, and a passionate teacher here at home.

Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts - Music

Band 1066
Known throughout the Lower Mainland and further afield, 1066 has made a name for themselves with a fun and lively stage show, which includes Celtic folk, rock, blues, jazz and classical.  Jim Wilding, Dave Thomson, Phil Aldridge and Asger Hansen are all about music and humour.
 
Brent Ellis
Brent has been involved in the local music scene, playing live Jazz, teaching guitar, and recording and producing CDs for local artists.  He has helped to write the Idiots Guide to Guitar and The Total Drummer.   Enjoy the sounds of Brent Ellis on CD's, "Sunday Drive", "Summertime" and "Cruisin Jackson Road".

Outstanding Artist in the Performing Arts - Dance

Paulina Fraser
Paulina is an accomplished performer in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and Highland dance.  Paulina is respected for her selfless attitude towards her fellow students, and to her community.   She is always willing to perform whenever asked whether it is in the class at the studio or in the community performing for senior's centres and multicultural events.

Charlene Hart
Charlene has proven that your dreams can be reached if you apply yourself and strive to be the best that you can be.  Charlene Hart danced her way to the top five in the popular show "So You Think You Can Dance"; performed as a professional dancer; and is a sought after choreographer and adjudicator all over Canada.  Charlene has volunteered her time teaching young aspiring children and dancing in support of numerous community activities.

Outstanding Youth Emerging Artist - Secondary School

B. Ethan Murley
Ethan has been studying painting, drawing, fashion design, sewing, photography and theatre.  He received the Yale Secondary Outstanding Service Awards, Top Junior Artist Award and Top Grade Eleven Artist Award.  Ethan has served on leadership teams in school and has contributed to the community through raising money for charity groups, and developing connections with the elderly, the homeless and disadvantaged teens.

Raina Nareg
For Raina visual art is not just a hobby, it is a self-expression.  We create art for ourselves to view, but mainly for the world to enjoy. Reina's artwork has been featured in newspapers, magazines, websites, and on her own online gallery deviantART.com

Patrick Schweers
Patrick started his acting career 5 years ago, as a shy young man.  His first role was a non-speaking one, a dog. He did such a good job that he was dubbed, a dog with character.  Patrick brings a lot of his character to the stage in the many roles he has played since.   His credits include Beauty and the Beast, Book Worm Club 1 &2, Anne of Green gables, Wizard of Wonderland, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Charlotte's Web and Awake & Dreaming.

Outstanding Youth Emerging Artists - Elementary School

Ben Ellis
Ben is a student at ASIA North Poplar elementary School.  He recently performed in the Lion King as Scar, the evil brother to Mafasa who tries to kill off Simba and take over Pride Rock. Ben is truly a triple treat, he can dance, sing and act is extremely convincing as the villain.  Ben's artwork was on display at his schools art show and sale.  He is a member of his school choir and performed in his schools winter production of Santa's Social Network.

Outstanding Arts Advocate

Clearbrook Library
For many children attending a library program may be the only time they are exposed to arts, crafts, music and story-telling.  Last year the library hosted a Jazz Club and recently a Manga Club for tween and teen artists to interact with professional artists specializing in Manga Art.  The library gives local arts groups the opportunity to advertise their events, showcase their wares in the display cabinets in the lobby, and host art exhibitions in their meeting room.  

Dave Farmer
Dave classifies himself as a non-artist with a great appreciation for the value of the arts in a community.  As an advocate for the musical arts Dave is volunteer host for the Abbotsford Arts Council's Envision Coffee House Concert and Concerts in the Park Series.  As advocate for the theatrical arts Dave is a volunteer stage manager for several theatrical organizations.   As an advocate for the literary arts Dave volunteers with the MSA Poets Society.  As an advocate for the visual arts you are sure to meet Dave at most will art exhibitions.   

Hong Zhu
Art has always been a huge part of her life.  Hong started training in the visual arts at a young age.  She was the youngest Artist at the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Research Institute.  She opened the Abbotsford Art Gallery to meet the needs of local artists, highlight and promotes their artwork, and contributes to building a strong art community.  

Outstanding Artists in the Visual Arts

ASIA North Poplar Visual Arts Teachers
ASIA North Poplar Visual Art Teachers, Karen Bennett, Suzi McClelland, Katarine Vlasic and Moira Kaulback create imaginative, exciting and engaging art projects for students K to 5.  The school theme this year was Africa which provided students with the opportunity to understand the life of a working visual artist and give them the pride in seeing their artwork displayed in a public setting.  

Melody Douglas
Melody is a self-taught artists working in pastel and acrylic.  Melody studied under Dianne Ponting and at F.V. University. She is president of the CFV Graphic Guild; is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artist, Group of Seven and Art in the City.

Irene Enns
Irene feels art through sketching, drawing and painting provides an avenue to create through self-expression. The privilege of traveling through visual concepts, personal experiences and transferring onto paper and canvas the emotions of the heart is a gift to share with others.  Irene She specializes in "Sepia Washout" watercolour techniques, and gladly shares her talent with others.

Andrew & Arlene Simpson
Andrew and Arlene are full time photographers and masters of lighting and exposure.  They describe themselves as visual poets - understanding all aspects of reading photographs and paintings.  They can analyze and interpret visual arts as a poet would with the written word.  Andrew and Arlene are well known and respected for their contributions in support of the Hospice Society, Crystal Gala, and the Arty Awards.

David Tickner
David enjoys painting and is stimulated by the challenges of working to make a blank piece of paper come alive with light and colour.  His work in several countries has provided many opportunities and images for painting.  He has been influenced not only by an infinite range of subject material but also by various artists and styles of other countries and cultures.

Outstanding Emerging Artist

Anny Grundy
Ann worked as a professional Display Artists for Woodward's, Retail Malls, Ladies Dress Shops, Jewellery Stores, and Fashion Shows for many years.  Ann volunteers her services to decorate many community events.   Ann's first all-inclusive Art Exhibit was at Kariton Art Gallery in May 2010, showcasing her Paper Mache Italian Style Masks and Unique Fibre Arts.  Her recent exhibition "The March Hare's Birthday" was truly a one of a kind exhibition.

Jeff Stackhouse
Jeff received his Honours in Fine Arts Diploma in 2008 and is currently working on completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts.  He was the recipient of the most Outstanding Artist Award at UV and Awards for poetry from the Canadian Poetry Association. Jeff possesses growth potential as an artist and demonstrates his interest in the well-being and importance of community involvement

Outstanding Literary Artist

Laurel Hildebrandt
Laurel knew at a very young age that she would be a writer and has been true to that vision.  She published "Treasure the Moments" and will soon be publishing "The Shadow People.  Laurel just completed "Tedds and the Kidnap Caper" for elementary aged readers and has two more manuscripts in the works.  Laurel is active in the community as a counsellor and speaker.  

Gwynne Hunt
Gwynne has been a writer, publisher, editor, researcher and instructor for over 30 years.  She recently published "Rampage: the pathology of an epidemic".  Gwynne has written and published 3 local magazines and has been published in many other magazines, newspapers and anthologies.  She has taught and mentored hundreds of emerging artists in writing and theatre.  Gwynne has used her skills as a writer to foster and encourage the arts.

Life Time Achievement Award: Ernie Poignant

Ernie Poignant
Ernie has devoted his life to comic comment through art and has made a concerted effort to share this form of creative outlet with young and old.  Ernie travels to schools, libraries, hospitals, senior homes with his chalk art program, and can be found at numerous community events enthusiastically drawing cartoons for children and adults alike.   
 
This World War II veteran was born on the Matsqui Prairie in 1919, worked in a print shop in Vancouver, was compositor for the Quesnel Cariboo Observer, and drew cartoons for the Maple Ridge Gazette and the Post.

Ernie illustrated a historical book of the Fraser Valley in celebration of BC's 150th birthday, and is currently working with the MSA Museum on a book illustrating Abbotsford History. His retelling of Abbotsford life past and present is his legacy to us.

His art is worthy of respect, but his person even more so.