Art is often a labour of love that can go unrecognized but the ProArt Alliance’s Greater Victoria Regional Arts Awards is an annual event where artists’ and arts organizations’ achievements in Victoria are publicly celebrated.
At the 2023 ceremony, held in November, eight awards were given out including one that recognized outstanding impact in the community. Victoria Arts Council (VAC) took home the 2023 CRD Arts Commission Regional Impact Award and $5,000 for its work serving approximately 600 members as a charitable, non-profit, community arts organization.
Since 1968, the VAC has supported more than 250 regional artists annually across its main platforms of exhibitions in 10 galleries, a monthly lecture series, and a digital magazine.
Its newest project in 2024, is a group exhibition titled You Are Welcome which elevates the work of immigrant artists and artists of different cultures, promoting cultural sensitivity and a platform for sharing diverse perspectives.
“Working in various mediums, photography, installation, textile, drawing, each of the artists is sharing something that reminds them of their homeland but now in their new home of Victoria. We have artists from the Ukraine, the UK, Chile, Iran, Turkey, Korea and more. It’ll be a very fun show and really different,” said Kegan McFadden, VAC’s executive director.
The exhibit runs Jan. 13 to March 3, in the Pat Martin Bates Gallery on Store Street.
Nominator Wendy Welch, director of the Vancouver Island School of Art, said that the VAC pays attention to the creativity taking shape in the region and makes room for artists at all levels.
“By treating artists in the CRD with professionalism and ensuring their work is shown in the best light possible, the VAC elevates us all,” Welch said in a press release.
The award was presented at Victoria City Hall during the Greater Victoria Regional Arts Award Program on Nov. 24, alongside seven other award recipients.
Other 2023 Greater Victoria Regional Arts Awards recipients:
•Witness Legacy Award for Social Purpose and Responsibility through Art: Brianna Bear
•ProArt Early-Career Artist Award: Loreto Espinoza
•Parc Retirement Living Mid-Career Artist Award: Erica Petty
•UVic, Fine Arts Student Community Impact Awards: Laveen M. Skyers, Heidi Goetz, Nathan Malzon
•City of Victoria Creative Builder Award: Logan Ford
•JAYMAC Outstanding Production Award: Impulse Theatre, the soft spaces
•John Mears Achievement in Music Award: Dane Roberts
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