Statement by Greg Bellerby, Chair of the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation
The Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation Arts Awards will be presented online again this year. We are hopeful that as restrictions are eased and people are more comfortable with the idea of attending public events we can return to hosting our awards ceremony as a live event. A public ceremony is in the spirit of what Jack and Doris Shadbolt envisioned as the value and importance of the awards to the artists and to the visual arts community.
The VIVA Awards recipients exemplify the strength and quality of the work being done by artists in our community. Their determination to continue to make engaging and thought-provoking works of visual art are an inspiration to us all. The VIVA Awards continue the legacy of Jack and Doris Shadbolt whose foundation has been celebrating the achievements of British Columbia artists since 1988.
Also through the generosity of the Estate of Abraham Rogatnick, the Alvin Balkind Curator’s Prize celebrates the achievements of British Columbia curators, both independent and those working in institutions. The vision of Jack, Doris and Abraham in establishing these awards has had a positive impact on the art community and will for the foreseeable future.
On behalf of the trustees I would like to congratulate this year’s recipients of the VIVA Awards, Laiwan and Hazel Meyer. The VIVA jury members were Lyse Lemieux, Jenn Jackson, Elliott Ramsay, Christian Vistan and Corry Wyngaarden. Their generosity and thoughtful deliberations are greatly appreciated.
The trustees would also like to congratulate the Alvin Balkind Curator’s Prize recipient Daina Augaitis. The jury was Zoë Chan, Makiko Hara and Ian Wallace. Our thanks for their assistance in the selection process. This year we are awarding two VIVA awards. Next year there will be two VIVA Awards. We are looking forward to the award ceremony being an event open to the public.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
Greg Bellerby, Chair