Arts posted Mar 11, 2017 @ 07:15am by Josh Duncan

Okanagan Arts Awards finalists announced

More than 80 Okanagan Arts Awards nominees gathered on Thursday night as finalists for the awards were announced.

This year is the 10th Annual Okanagan Arts Awards, celebrating artistic and creative excellence, as well as the achievements of artists, in this region.

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>The evening featured a musical performance from the band Cod Gone Wild.

This year, the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan received a record number of nominations.

To honor the nominees and celebrate creative talent in the Central Okanagan, ARTSCO hosted Thursday’s event, which featured a musical performance by Cod Gone Wild

The awards statues, which were created by Art Felt Collaborative, were also unveiled on Thursday.

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>The award statue for 2017 are a sight to be seen

The 2016 Okanagan Arts Awards Finalists are:

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

And a special Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating Julia Trops for her dedication and support of the arts in the Central Okanagan.

These 37 of the Central Okanagan’s top artists in 12 nominations categories will be celebrated at the 10th Annual Okanagan Arts Awards Gala on Friday, May 12th, 2016 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

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