The Arts: Arts Community Celebrates The 2010 Artys

By Doreen Jung of the Abbotsford Arts Council. The Abbotsford Arts Council was proud and pleased to present the 2010 Arty Awards on Saturday. The nominees and winners are present here together with a feature on each of the winners. [Click On image For Full Story].

*For space reasons we have spit the list in two parts. When you reach the bottom of the page simply click on the link to the remainder of the nominees and winners.

The Abbotsford Arts Council Presents the 2010 ARTY Awards
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Matsqui Centennial Auditorium

The Abbotsford Arts Council was pleased to present the Seventh Annual Arty Awards to honor and recognize our nominees who have achieved excellence in their art as well as emerging artists and arts advocates who have contributed significantly to the arts scene in our community. The ARTY Awards recognized and honored outstanding artists in the following fields.

Performing Arts – Music – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Bryan Steeksma

· Abbotsford Concert Band

· Bryan Steeksma

Bryan Steeksma

Bryan Steeksma

A musician of multiple talents, Bryan Steeksma is an amazing guitarist and a fine vocalist. He also writes songs that provoke thought and stir emotion. Bryan has performed as a member of the band called “The Heck” and now performs as a solo artist. Writing and recording songs have been an important part of Bryan’s music career along with performing and touring with other musicians.

Performing Arts – Theatre – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Megan MacKenzie

· Gallery 7 Theatre

· Megan Mackenzie

· Graham Steeksma

Megan Mackenzie

Megan Mackenzie

With an intense passion for theatre, Megan Mackenzie has been involved in performing, directing, writing and producing many shows. As a young actor, she acted in 6 productions with Abbotsford Children’s Theatre. Now, a graduate of UFV, Megan has been numerous UFV productions and directed for their Directors Festival for several years. Currently Megan is teaching for Tarlington Training Inc. and is running workshops through ACSSA summer school and The Reach.

Performing Arts – Dance – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Mary Miranda Boonstra

· Mary Miranda Boonstra

Mary Miranda Boonstra

Mary Miranda Boonstra

This year we have one nominee in the dance category and Mary Miranda Boonstra exemplifies the qualities of a dancer who loves her art, excels at it, and uses it to benefit others. Mary now channels her passion into teaching and choreography. She has taught at Dance in Motion for the last 18 years, and leads ‘Dance Blast’ which are fitness dance classes in Abbotsford and Mission. Mary choreographed the ‘Business in Black’ dance troupe which performed at the Hospice Gala. She has put together school presentations for the ‘In Motion’ fitness program which promotes physical fitness to children. In all her work with others, Mary ‘inspires the dancer within’.

Visual Arts – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Leslie Easte

· Leslie Easte

· Irene Enns

· Glenn Fulton

· Ruby Jaggermath

· Susan Reilly

Leslie Easte

Leslie Easte

An international- award winning jewelry designer, Leslie Easte remembers being told, “The impossible can only happen when you put your heart and soul into it.” Inspired by that thought, Leslie creates beautiful pieces with silver and gold and faceting her own stones. Her Mill Lake Collection is inspired by nature’s beauty in our Mill Lake Park. Leslie’s jewelry has been sold nationally and internationally. She has also donated many of her pieces to charity and to support fundraisers. Leslie shares her love of jewelry design by volunteering to teach jewelry design to youth.

Literary Arts – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Selma Turner

· Alice Maryniuk

· Selma Willms Turner

Selma Willms Turner and Judson Lake House Publishers

Selma Willms Turner

, Owner of Judson Lake House Publishers co-edited and published two recipe/story books, entitled Oma’s Kitchen and A Time of Wonder, A Season of Joy. In December 2009, they published Susan Remembers, which are the memoirs of Susanne Willms Thielman, one of the first Mennonites to settle in Abbotsford. Judson Lake House Publishers sponsored the Many Strands writing conferences held in Abbotsford in 2008 and 2009. Through their work, they have made a significant contribution to the literary landscape of Abbotsford.

Outstanding Arts Advocate – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner ASIA North Poplar Teaching Staff

· Teaching Staff of ASIA North Poplar

· Asgar and Deb Hansen of A&D Music

· Kimberly Arthurs of Clayburn Gourmet Gallery

· Lee Murray of House of Fine Arts

ASIA North Poplar, Teaching Staff

ASIA North Poplar Teaching Staff

For over 10 years ASIA North Poplar has been the choice school for fine arts in Abbotsford. Each year, 400 students receive an excellent education in the arts along with their core curriculum. Teachers of drama, music, dance, and visual art bring their expertise from specialized training or past careers in the arts to the school. They provide an arts-infused place of learning and nourish the artist in each child that they teach. With this enrichment, students can pursue their goals and fulfill their dreams.

Outstanding Emerging Artists – Congratulations to our 2010 Arty Award Winner Victoria Duffield

· Casino

· Victoria Duffield

Victoria Duffield

Victoria Duffield

She is a singer, dancer and actor with accomplishments that are too many to list. Victoria Duffield’s singing and dance solos have won numerous awards. She has performed at events throughout the lower mainland. Most recently she performed at the unveiling of the 2010 Olympic Mascots and at the Abbotsford Torch Celebration. Victoria’s acting accomplishments include successful work as an actor in many movies and over 30 commercials. Her dedication and commitment to excellence is unwavering.

For The Remainder Of The 2010 Arty Winners Please Click Here.