BC Achievement announces the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design

Vancouver, BC (June 3, 2024): Today the BC Achievement Foundation announced that the Applied Art + Design Award (AAD) will be named the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design. The naming honours the visionary founder of the program, the late Sam Carter, saluting his remarkable legacy on the 20th anniversary of the program’s offering.

As an artist, educator and curator, Sam championed Canadian designers, craftspeople and applied artists. He personally curated the AAD program’s annual exhibits and guided the program with unflagging passion and dedication. Sam was a true friend and advisor to the provincial, national and global applied art and design community.

“Sam Carter’s dedication to fostering creativity and excellence in the field of applied art and design has left a lasting mark on the creative community,” said Walter Pela. “It is an incredible privilege to name the award in Sam’s honour and recognize his contributions to British Columbia. I encourage all designers and artists to apply for the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design. Nominations are open and we look forward to celebrating the next generation of visionary talent.”

The Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design (AAD) program celebrates British Columbians who excel in creating functional art. The program recognizes artists who work in mediums such as furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion and industrial design.

Applying for an award serves as a platform to communicate an artist’s work, vision and contribution to the creative economy. The process invites an opportunity for artistic reflection and exposes artists and designers to a wider audience. The program welcomes submissions from those who produce work that has a practical or functional application. Nominations and self-nominations from throughout the province are accepted until June 30, 2024.

“It really does mean a lot to folks like me to be acknowledged for the difficult path we’ve carved out for ourselves in the arts. Thanks for the work you are doing to help spread the word that BC has talent right here at home,” said Riley McFerrin, 2023 AAD recipient.

Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through BC Achievement’s website until June 30. Recipients will be announced in October, with an exhibit of their selected works taking place November 18-24 at The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, the AAD program stands on the excellence of its 87 alumni and is supported by a growing and generous philanthropic community keen to ensure that Sam’s legacy lives on. BC Achievement is grateful to its donors who stepped up to support the launch of the Sam Carter Award and remains indebted to the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation, whose generosity contributed to over a decade of celebrating applied art + design in British Columbia.

The AAD program is presented by BC Achievement and its sponsors and partners: Supporting Sponsor –TELUS; Community Partnerss – BC Ferries, Denbigh, The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre; and Media Sponsors – Global BC, Miss 604, and Stir Magazine are all gratefully acknowledged. 

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design program, visit www.bcachievement.com.

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About BC Achievement

BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, its award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow. www.bcachievement.com

Media Contacts

Gemma Bishop
Gather Public Relations
T: 604-375-6953
E: gemma@gatherpublicrelations.com

Rup Grewal, Communications Director
BC Achievement Foundation
T: 604-261-9777 (Ext 102)
E: rup@bcachievement.com

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