The Sunshine Coast Arts Council oversees a number of Annual Awards, funded through generous donations made to various endowments managed by the Sunshine Coast Foundation. Recipients are selected by a committee, based on community recommendations.
Nominations for the Annual Sunshine Coast Arts Council Awards are now open!
We are inviting nominations for artists from all disciplines and individuals who have contributed significantly to the arts and culture community on the Sunshine Coast. Eligibility criteria and descriptions for each of the awards can be found using the side menu, or when completing the nomination form.
Deadline for Nominations: Friday April 17, 2025 – 4pm
2025 AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Sunshine Coast Arts Council is pleased to announce the recipients of four community awards for 2025, each supported by endowments held by the Sunshine Coast Foundation and awarded based on nominations from an advisory committee.
The Anne and Phillip Klein Visual Arts Award: Irene Brougham
The Anne and Philip Klein Visual Arts Award recognizes an individual who began their creative endeavours later in life. Beginning her painting journey in her early 90s, Irene Brougham has shown extraordinary passion and commitment to embracing a new creative path later in life. Now 96, Irene brings a deep focus and intention to every art session. She works diligently to learn the delicate craft of watercolour painting, always striving to grow and improve. Her dedication to her practice is inspiring and humbling, showing that the creative spirit knows no age. Irene is not only committed to her own learning but is also an uplifting presence to others. She supports her peers, always encouraging others with kindness and genuine enthusiasm. Her quiet determination and openness to learning have made her a respected and cherished member of the Christenson Village community. Irene’s story is a powerful reminder that starting is never too late. Her journey into the visual arts is one of curiosity, creativity, and heart. She is a living example of lifelong learning and artistic passion.
The Louise Baril Memorial: Simon Cameron
The Louise Baril Memorial Music Award is given to an individual beginning advanced studies in music, and honours Louise Baril, a revered member of the SCAC Board who ran Countryside Concerts from 1990-94. Simon Cameron is 20 years old and grew up in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. He studied music at Douglas College for 2 years and is a drummer and an avid music listener. He has created a website where he reviews current music https://simontalksmusic.com and also has a youtube channel @simontalksmusic811.
The Frances Wasserlein Memorial Award: Sandy Friedman and Gillian Smith
The Frances Wasserlein Community Leadership Award recognizes significant contributions as a volunteer in the arts and culture sector, in memory of a passionate advocate for inclusive communities through arts and culture. Since 2013, the Friends of the Sechelt Library—a registered charity—have raised over $200,000 through their popular “Book Faires,” held monthly in winter and twice monthly in summer. These three-day events provide essential funding for the Sechelt Public Library. At the heart of this success are co-chairs Sandy Friedman and Gillian Smith, who have led with tireless dedication. They manage all aspects of the Faires, including advertising, logistics, donor coordination, and overseeing a large team of volunteers that collectively contribute thousands of hours annually. Their work is vital. While library operations are funded by public dollars, capital items like furniture, technology, and specialized equipment rely entirely on Friends’ fundraising. During times of financial austerity, the Friends’ support was nothing short of a lifeline. The Book Faires have become a cherished community tradition—both for readers passing on beloved books and for those discovering new ones. Sandy Friedman and Gillian Smith exemplify leadership, generosity, and community spirit. Their impact is immeasurable—and truly worthy of recognition.
The Gillian Lowndes Memorial Award: Varya Moysey-Rubin
The Gillian Lowndes Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated long- standing achievement, innovation, and recent growth in their discipline. The award was created in 1981 to honour the life and talent of Gillian Lowndes, a promising young Sunshine Coast dancer and vice-president of the Arts Council. Gillian died of cancer in 1981.
Janna Maria Vallee is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily in the media of plant dyeing and weft-faced tapestry weaving. In 2008 Janna attended Capilano University’s technical Textile Arts program and in 2013 graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Fibres and Material Practices program at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. In 2016 she returned with her family to her home-province of British Columbia where they now live on the Sunshine Coast. EVERLEA YARN is Janna’s hand-dyed yarn and hand-crafted loom business featuring consciously sourced wool yarn which is spun in Canada and dyed with plants by Janna. To shop looms and yarn, visit www.everleayarn.ca.
For more about our Awards and the Recipients: https://sunshinecoastartscouncil.com/awards/
2024 AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Sunshine Coast Arts Council is pleased to announce the recipients of four community awards for 2024, each supported by endowments held by the Sunshine Coast Foundation and awarded based on nominations from an advisory committee.
The Anne and Phillip Klein Visual Arts Award: Deb Willis
The Anne and Philip Klein Visual Arts Award recognizes an individual who began their creative endeavours later in life. Having grown up on the West Coast of B.C. for the last 60 years, Deb has been strongly influenced by its shorelines, waterways & mountain tops. Deb worked as a R.N. for 35 years before retiring to the Sunshine Coast. It was then that Deb started to paint more regularly. She uses acrylic, mixed media collage to paint abstracted landscapes & seascapes. This spring, 2024 she had a show of works entitled Dementia What Lies Beneath at Gibsons Public Market. Deb is also an active volunteer with the Food Bank, the Gibsons Public Art Gallery and other organizations on the Coast.
The Louise Baril Memorial: Cael Read
The Louise Baril Memorial Music Award is given to an individual beginning advanced studies in music, and honours Louise Baril, a revered member of the SCAC Board who ran Countryside Concerts from 1990-94. Cael Read took home three prizes in 2023 Provincial Festival of the Performing Arts, including the senior strings award. Cael reprised one of his festival performances by playing the prelude to Bach’s first cello suite with joyful dexterity. In spring 2024 he won the Ross Brougham Award for Cello from Coast Recital Society. Cael is also the 2023/24 Youth Representative for the Town of Gibsons and co-chair of Elphi’s student council and a representative for Elphi on the SD46 District Student Leadership Team. He is passionate about improving our community, which has led him to work on initiatives such as Free Student Transit and a school district-wide Spirit Week. He loves playing the cello, is a member of the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra.
The Frances Wasserlein Memorial Award: Marg Penney
The Frances Wasserlein Community Leadership Award recognizes significant contributions as a volunteer in the arts and culture sector, in memory of a passionate advocate for inclusive communities through arts and culture. Marg Penney joined the Pender Harbour Music Society in 1998 and was Chair from 2010-2019. Under her leadership the Board structure was strengthened and the Society became financially stable. Marg’s grant writing skills were exceptional and lay a strong foundation for renewed and new grants today. Marg led the Concert Committee, and was instrumental in creating the Jazz and Chamber Festivals and weekends of music. She also supervised the School of Music building renovations and was the liaison with the SCRD. Marg’s sustained volunteer leadership had a focus on relationship building, listening, encouraging, and enabling others, all with grace and calm optimism.
The Gillian Lowndes Memorial Award: Varya Moysey-Rubin
The Gillian Lowndes Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated long- standing achievement, innovation, and recent growth in their discipline. The award was created in 1981 to honour the life and talent of Gillian Lowndes, a promising young Sunshine Coast dancer and vice-president of the Arts Council. Gillian died of cancer in 1981.
Varya has been immersed in music, dance and theatre since she began life as the daughter of a professional violinist Mom and a Dad who had recently been appointed head of the new Theatre Department at York University. Her journey from that point has taken her to study, create and share her vision with personal and group performance. Her most recent project was the July 2024 Summer Youth Musical Theatre Intensive, “Songs from the Underworld.” This year the brand new Mini Theatre Camps for 6 – 10 year olds was added.
For more about our Awards and the Recipients: https://sunshinecoastartscouncil.com/awards/