Okanagan Arts Awards Finalists Announced

The following information is excerpted from Kelowna Now.

The Okanagan Arts Awards are run by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO) as a celebration of artistic excellence in the region. This year is the 10th anniversary of the awards, and a record number of nominations were received.

Nominees were honoured at an event held by ARTSCO on Thursday, March 9, where the following finalists were announced in 12 categories:

Applied Arts: Lucas Glenn, Marijanel Knight, Tia Maria Soroskie
Art + Business: Linda Lovisa, Shandra Smith, Janice Taylor / Mazu Family
Business Supporter: Kelowna Tickets, Investors Group, Milkcrate Records
Community Impact (Sponsored by the Central Okanagan Foundation): Bonnie Gratz / New Vintage Theatre, Karen Close / Heartfit, Jessica Hendrick
Dance: Ballet Kelowna, Creator's Art Centre, Mark Dennis
Emerging Artist: Evan Berg, Immaculate, Erin Scott
Innovation in the Arts: Kinshira, Opera Kelowna, Erin Scott
Literature: Karen Autio, Matt Rader, Erin Scott
Music: Kim Kleineberg, Opera Kelowna, Adam Meachem
Theatre: Janet Anderson, Opera Kelowna, Kinshira
Time Based Media (Sponsored by Yeti Farm Creative): Evan Berg, Joanne Gervais + Shauna Oddleifson, Pinstripe Productions
Visual Arts: Wanda Lock, Jolene Mackie, Tia Maria Soroskie

Artist Julia Trops was given a special Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication and support of the arts in the Central Okanagan.

The 10th Annual Okanagan Arts Awards Gala will be held on May 12, 2017 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna.