On Friday night, almost 40 of Vancouvers most creative talents were under one roof or, should we say, dome. The Mayors Arts Awards converged on Science World Nov. 22 to recognize established and emerging artists in the community. The only people missing were those who were too busy being creative to step down off their stages, away from their tours and out of their studios to accept their awards in person.
The field was deep. Honourees in the literary, culinary, visual and performing arts, as well as awards for community contributions such as volunteerism, philanthropy and arts boards were given out by an equally esteemed jury.
The honourees were then invited to select an emerging artist they felt demonstrated promise, with both artists receiving a $2,500 prize.
Among the notable exchanges was Cornelia Hahn Oberlanders Lifetime Achievement award in landscape architecture. Oberlander has collaborated over the past 60 years with internationally acclaimed architects such as Renzo Piano on the New York Times building, and more locally on the soon-to-be-opened rooftop garden at the Vancouver Public Library. Host Bill Richardson called her, by way of introduction, the Grand Dame of Green Design a reference to the CBC documentary on her work.
Self-proclaimed submerging artist George Fetherling (Literary Arts honouree) humourously opened his acceptance by saying this is not a medal for good conduct. It must be, in my case, a prize for longevity. For I have laboured away for half a century almost, always making waves, but never getting any closer to the shore. He went on to lavish glowing praise on his choice of emerging artist, Rahat Kurd.
Amber Dawns memoir of her experiences as a sex trade worker, writer, student and activist is the winner of the 2013 City of Vancouver Book Award.
How Poetry Saved My Life: A Hustlers Memoir uses poetry and prose to recount a 10-year period of her life, the mayor's office says. At times brutal and bitter and at other times deeply reflective and occasionally funny, [it] explores dialogue as vital to overcoming deeply held power dynamics of class, sexual orientation and violence.
It was fascinating to hear stories from the people who are forming the foundation of our Art City, but even more revealing to learn who they saw as the next generation in their fields.
See the full list of honourees at Vancouver.ca.
