Monday July 25, 2022 | SOOKE, BC [Updated July 27, 2022]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Accomplished artists took the stage on Saturday night at the 2022 Sooke Fine Arts Show (SFAS) to receive awards from sponsor representatives.
The moments on stage in front of an invited VIP audience are brief, though the fuller value of the experience is also longer-term.
Artists can of course show their award-winning status in their future promotions, and sponsors can be pleased to note their support to their own customers and audiences.
Award selection was done by this year’s three Sooke Fine Arts Show 2022 jurors: Mark Heine, Nicholas Tuele, and Barbara Zeigler.
Speakers at the awards evening:
Premier John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca) made some brief remarks about the art, opening with how great it was to have people gathered in person after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions. As he does every year, he remarked on the transformation of the SEAPARC Leisure Complex arena into a fine exhibit, noting that the works of 185 artists were on display.
Horgan remarked on “what imagination and inspiration can do for the human condition”, as reflected in art. Indeed, this year’s show (compared to 2020 and 2021, online) collectively vibrated with hope, vitality and colour compared to some of the more introspective themes and tones of containment seen during the height of the pandemic.
Horgan remarked on a transformation in leadership. The new SFAS President is Elaine Thrale. the people in this community keep it going. He called Sooke “an extraordinary place perched on the basin… including newcomers”. He remarked on the “new marvels” people would see in the gallery that evening, that “will knock you over — only in Sooke in July can that happen,” said Horgan, wrapping up.
Acting Mayor for the District of Sooke Al Beddows is “very proud” of the art show. Mental well-being of our community. The arts in Sooke is very very strong. He talked about the enduring power of art, particularly impressionist paintings. “You have a look and see what the artist is trying to say, and then you have your own interpretation,” said Beddows. Indeed, it is the purpose of art to reveal.
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director Mike Hicks noted that he was a member of a rock band years ago, a form of art. “We are so proud of the artists that come from our area, and from all of you,” said Hicks.
Awards at the 2022 Show:
Check out the full list of artists and artworks on the 2022 Sooke Fine Arts Show artists page. Here are the award winners:
Award of Excellence:
Still Life II by Mitchell Villa. Sponsored by Butler Concrete & Aggregate Ltd [painting]
Kelly by Harold Allanson. Sponsored by SEAPARC Leisure Complex. [painting]
Windlass by Nicole Sleeth. Sponsored by Keycorp Consulting Ltd. [painting]
Bad Ombre by Susan Koch. Sponsored by Marsden Group. [jewelry]
Flight by Wayne Halabourda. Sponsored by Island Social Trends. [wood carving]
Flowers and Roots by Kenna Barradell. Sponsored by Dr Chris Bryant & Staff. [painting]
Exodus to Europe II by April Winter. Sponsored by Point No Point Resort Ltd [modern]
Freud meets Picasso by Jo Allbutt. Sponsored by VIMEX Contracting Ltd [painting]
Juror’s Choice:
Worry Winder by John Robertson. Sponsored by Clarkston Construction Ltd. Selected by Juror Nicholas Tuele. [3D assembly]
Orion by David Ballantyne. Sponsored by The Artisan’s Garden. Selected by Juror Barbara Zeigler. [painting]
The Artist’s Granddaughter ‘Zoe’ by Johannes Landman. Sponsored by Times Colonist. Selected by Juror Mark Heine. [painting]
District of Sooke Award:
LOOKOUT by William Gordon Wallace. Sponsored by the District of Sooke. [painting – acrylic on board]
Jan Johnson Memorial Award for Social Commentary:
PITY by James Darin Corbiere. Sponsored by Mary-Alice Johnson & the Jan Johnson Memorial Fund. [ink and copper on white ash]
Honourable Mention:
AntiquiTree by Marrilee Soberg. Sponsored by Tom Lee Music Co Ltd. [digital art on canvas]
We Are All Connected III by Janine Duns. Sponsored by West Coast Grill. [monotype print]
Water Pearl by Diana Grenkow. Sponsored by Sooke Home Hardware. [painting – oil on board]
Wild Woman and Babies drum by Richard Hunt. Sponsored by Sooke News Mirror. [wood rim & hide drum with wooden drumstick]
Glory by Lisa Hebden. Sponsored by West Coast Super Storage. [painting – oil on canvas]
Youth Art Recognition:
Distinction – Below the Surface by Aiya Snider. Sponsored by RE/MAX Victoria. [painting]
Inspiration – Joyful thoughts by Claire Strong. Sponsored by Sooke Arts Council. [painting] | This piece will be featured in publicity for the 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show youth art gallery.
Honourable Mention – We Live in the Wrong Moment by AJ Boersen. Sponsored by Croy & Co Stage Lighting Ltd. [painting]
Honourable Mention – Daydream by Angie Song. Sponsored by Used.ca. [painting]
[Youth art photos to come]
Youth Art Juror Recognition:
Snow City by Ravenna Houle. Sponsored by Yvonne Cabot. [painting]
Smells of Fresh Grass by Keira Mills. Sponsored by Monk Office Supply. [painting]
Deer by Ena Khan. Sponsored by Prestige Oceanfront Resort. [painting]
Designer’s Choice Award:
The 2022 Designer’s Choice Award was not pre-published in the Sooke Fine Arts Show guide, but left to be a surprise at the Artists Celebration on July 23.
Sponsored by Bell Media & Point No Point Resort Ltd, the winner was Carolyn Houg for her fire clay piece “A Word to the Wise”. It was presented by Shannon Lee Rae, head of the SFAS Design Committee.
Memorial Awards:
Local painter Judy Hall who recently passed away was honoured by her friend and artist Linda Anderson, with the Youth Art Gallery jurors award to ‘Fox in the Woods’ by Sunny Ko.
Vern Moore who passed away a few years ago was honoured with an award in his name, to encourage Sooke youth who contribute to their community through arts and community volunteering. Corinna Strong received this award. Moore was Terrie Moore’s father (Terrie is the Executive Director of the Sooke Fine Arts Show).
Scholarship:
Joannie McConnell, a graduate of Royal Bay Secondary School this year, is this year’s successful applicant for the Sooke Fine Arts Show youth art scholarship. She has been accepted into the visual arts program at the University of Victoria this coming fall. She hopes to become an art therapist.
The scholarship is open to students in the Sooke School District 62 (SD62) which has schools in Langford, Colwood and Sooke.
People’s Choice:
Throughout the 11-day exhibit, visitors to the show can submit their votes for the 2022 People’s Choice and Children’s Choice.
Those awards are announced after the show wraps up (check back at islandsocialtrends.ca after August 1, 2022). They are a way of gauging public opinion on the art presented each year.
- People’s Choice is sponsored this year by The Artisan’s Garden & Monk Office Supply.
- Children’s Choice Award is sponsored by Clarkston Construction Ltd & West Coast Grill.
- People’s Choice Youth Favourite is sponsored by Croy & Co Stage Lighting Ltd & Yvonne Cabot.
See for yourself!
The 2022 Sooke Fine Arts Show is running daily right through the BC Day long weekend, wrapping up on Monday August 1.