Month: February 2025

Robin DuPont: Pushing the Boundaries of Contemporary Ceramics 

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Robin DuPont is a frontrunner in contemporary ceramics in North America. With over two decades of experience, he has built a reputation for his innovative atmospherically fired ceramics that push the boundaries of form and surface. A recipient of the 2024 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, Robin blends craftsmanship with experimentation, embracing the unpredictable beauty of fire to create work that is as functional as it is mesmerizing. 

A Journey Shaped by Clay 

Robin’s artistic path has taken him across Canada and beyond. He’s studied, taught, and fine-tuned his craft at Alberta College of Art + Design, the Australian National University, and Utah State University. Along the way, he’s absorbed influences and techniques that make his work stand out. No matter where he’s been, his passion for ceramics has always been rooted in curiosity and an appreciation for the unexpected. 

Atmospheric Firing 

If you know Robin, you know he thrives on atmospheric firing. Whether it’s wood, soda, or salt firing, each method leaves its mark—literally. Fire, ash, and vapours interact with clay in ways no artist can completely control, making every piece a unique creation. That’s the magic of Robin’s work—no two pieces are ever the same. His pots, mugs, and vessels capture the raw, organic beauty of the process, and that’s what makes them so special. As Robin himself says, “There’s an authenticity in the work that comes from the process—it’s a collaboration between me, the materials, and the fire.” 

Beyond the Studio 

In addition to his artwork and extensive research in ceramics, Robin is a dedicated educator and mentor, teaching at numerous institutions including Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the Kootenay School of the Arts, shaping the next generation of ceramicists. His commitment to education and community engagement was further recognized when he was named Nelson’s cultural ambassador. More recently, he brought his knowledge and passion for pottery to a wider audience as the pottery expert in CBC’s Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown. 

Upon receiving the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design last fall, Robin acknowledged the significance of recognition in the arts, stating, “The value of this award is not so much a personal thing although I’m so grateful and so honoured…but it’s more important for society and for the public to realize that we value culture, that we value people doing unconventional things.”  

The 2026 Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design program is open for nominations at bcachievement.com – nominate and support a remarkable artist in your community. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Celebrating Excellence: The Impact of BC Achievement Award Recipients

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British Columbia is home to extraordinary individuals whose dedication, innovation, and leadership shape our communities and inspire future generations. At BC Achievement, our mission is to honour those who make a lasting impact, whether through business, Indigenous art, community service, or reconciliation initiatives. These remarkable individuals and organizations are the heartbeat of our province, and their stories deserve to be shared and celebrated. 

Recognizing the Changemakers 

Each year, BC Achievement Foundation recognizes exceptional people who go above and beyond to strengthen the cultural and social fabric of our province. From Indigenous artists preserving their heritage through breathtaking works to entrepreneurs driving sustainable economic growth, our awardees exemplify the power of passion and perseverance. 

Take, for instance, the inspiring work of past award recipients like carver and cultural leader Dempsey Bob, whose contributions to Northwest Coast art have elevated Indigenous artistry on the global stage. Or the many community leaders who, through grassroots efforts, have uplifted marginalized voices and fostered inclusivity in their regions. Their commitment reminds us that true leadership is measured by impact, not titles. 

Why Recognition Matters 

Acknowledging and celebrating excellence is more than just an act of appreciation; it fuels progress. When we shine a light on those making a difference, we empower others to follow in their footsteps. Recognition provides encouragement, strengthens networks, and fosters collaboration. More importantly, it ensures that future generations have role models who embody the values of resilience, creativity, and service. 

Get Involved 

Do you know someone making a difference in British Columbia? Nominations for BC Achievement Awards open annually, and we encourage you to put forward individuals or organizations that exemplify excellence. Nominations are now open for the 2026 programs, so don’t miss the opportunity to recognize those who inspire and uplift our communities. By participating in this process, you play a crucial role in ensuring that those who contribute meaningfully to our society receive the recognition they deserve. 

Follow BC Achievement on social media and stay connected as we continue to spotlight the incredible achievements happening throughout the province. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant British Columbia—one story at a time. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Saluting Our Sponsors: Teck Resources’ Impact on BC Achievement: Indigenous Business and the BC Reconciliation award programs 

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At BC Achievement, we’re in the business of telling stories, lifting people up and shining a light on those who go above and beyond in their communities. We believe that through storytelling, we can inspire others to follow in the footsteps of remarkable British Columbians and make a lasting and continuous impact. The stories we share honour individual excellence while showcasing the communities and places that shape these exceptional individuals. Our goal is to spark a movement that ignites positive change and carves out a path forward for others to follow. 

But we can’t do this alone. We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors who make this mission possible, who help us bring these stories of excellence into the spotlight, and who support the development of programs that recognize the outstanding work of British Columbians. 

The Power of Partnership: Teck’s Ongoing Commitment 

A significant sponsor in our journey has been Teck Resources (Teck), whose consistent support has been invaluable. Since 2010, Teck has been a proud sponsor of the Indigenous Business Award program, and over the last 15 years, it has become an integral part of our sponsorship family.  

In 2024, Teck took this partnership to new heights by becoming the inaugural sponsor of the BC Reconciliation Award program. 

Teck’s presentation sponsor involvement played a key role in the success of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony, held in late January in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of BC. It was a truly inspired evening at Government House where the incredible work of the recipients was celebrated, lauded, and amplified. The support allowed the stories of the recipients to be shared far and wide through live video streaming, captured in the ceremony and made accessible throughout the province on BC Achievement’s website and YouTube channel. It’s a lasting tribute to those who inspire change and is part of the foundation’s online library archive (click here to watch!). 

The recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award are catalysts for broader transformation. Their work has a ripple effect, reaching and impacting countless lives across our province. They represent the power of community, the strength of the people and places that make BC remarkable. 

Looking Ahead: A Continued Partnership for Change 

At BC Achievement, we are proud of our long-standing relationship with Teck, and we salute its ongoing support in helping us honour the exceptional individuals who make our province proud. Together, we are amplifying voices, telling stories, and inspiring others to follow in the footsteps of those who are shaping the future of BC. 

As we look ahead, we are excited about the continued partnership with Teck and other like-minded organizations that share our vision. It’s a relationship built on trust, shared values, and a mutual commitment to creating positive change. Together, we’re celebrating excellence—and we’re helping to pave the way for others to follow through these incredible stories of achievement. 

Thank you, Teck, for your continuing support. Here’s to the next chapter in our remarkable journey. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Honouring Black History Month: Celebrating Black Community Achievers in BC 

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Photo: Community Award program alumni Marcus Mosely (left) and Lolly Bennett (right)

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the profound contributions of Black Canadians who have shaped British Columbia’s cultural, economic, and social landscape. Throughout history, Black British Columbians have demonstrated leadership and innovation across various sectors, leaving an indelible mark on the province. 

Today, Black British Columbians continue to inspire and lead across communities. Among them is Marcus Mosely, a celebrated gospel singer and community advocate who was honoured with the 2024 BC Achievement Community Award of Distinction for his contributions to arts and culture. His work brings people together through music, fostering connection and cultural appreciation across generations. 

The impact of Black leadership is also recognized through Lolly Bennett, a passionate advocate for Indigenous and Black communities and a 2018 BC Achievement Community Award recipient. Her work in community engagement and empowerment has made a lasting difference in advancing equity and social justice. 

BC Achievement Foundation is dedicated to honouring excellence and inspiring achievement across all communities. Through the awards and recognition programs, BC Achievement shines a spotlight on individuals and organizations that are driving positive change and fostering reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion. 

As we celebrate Black History Month, we acknowledge the importance of continued efforts to highlight and support Black artists, business owners, educators, and community advocates who contribute to British Columbia’s diverse and dynamic society. 

Ways to Participate: Events Celebrating Black History Month in BC 

There are many ways to engage with Black History Month in British Columbia. Here are some events to check out: 

  • Film Screenings and Panel Discussions – Local cinemas and community centres hosting screenings of films that highlight Black history and contemporary issues, followed by expert panel discussions. 
  • Workshops and Educational Talks – Schools, universities, and libraries offering workshops on Black history, identity, and contributions to Canadian society. 
  • Community Art Exhibits – Showcasing works by Black artists in galleries and cultural spaces across BC. 

Black History Month is a time to celebrate resilience, excellence, and the ongoing journey towards equity and inclusion.  

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Last Chance to Nominate for a BC Achievement Award! 

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Join us to RECOGNIZE REMARKABLE – and nominate for one (or more!) of the five award programs that BC Achievement presents. There are only three days left to submit a nomination for any one of BC Achievement’s award programs! The deadline to nominate online is February 15th, 2025, at 11:59 PM. 

Nominations are now open for all 2025 BC Achievement Award programs: 

  • Community Award 
  • BC Reconciliation Award 
  • Indigenous Business Award 
  • Polygon Award First Nations Art 
  • Sam Carter Award Applied Art + Design 

For more than 20 years, BC Achievement has recognized individuals and organizations making a difference in British Columbia, sharing their stories to inspire change, build community pride, and encourage others to follow their lead. 

Why Nominate Someone? 

Because recognizing achievement is about more than celebrating success – it’s about amplifying stories that inspire, fostering pride in our communities, and shining a light on those who drive change and create lasting impact. 

Your nomination ensures that remarkable individuals get the recognition they deserve, encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. Brent Comber, who received the 2024 Sam Carter Award of Distinction, described awards as “a gift, a way to show that it’s possible to create a career doing what you love.” 

The award programs celebrate achievements that impact British Columbia’s cultural, social, and economic landscape. Whether fostering reconciliation, preserving cultural traditions, or driving innovation, the honourees contribute meaningfully to the province’s future. 

To nominate someone whose work deserves recognition, visit BC Achievement’s website. By submitting a nomination, you’re sharing stories that matter and helping to celebrate the people who make BC remarkable. 

#recognizeremarkable 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Celebrating the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award Recipients 

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Photo: Recipients and Selection Committee members of the 2024 BC Reconciliation Award

The 2024 BC Reconciliation Award ceremony, held at Government House in Victoria on January 23, 2025, was marked by a respectful and traditional presentation. 

The award program honoured four outstanding individuals and two remarkable organizations whose dedication to reconciliation shines through their work. These recipients embody the values of truth, integrity, respect, and collaboration, making meaningful contributions to fostering understanding, addressing historical injustices, and building strong partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across British Columbia. 

Individual Recipients 

  • Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell (Old Massett) 
  • Corporal (Retired) Chris Gosselin, M.O.M. (West Kelowna) 
  • Gloria Morgan (Enderby) 
  • Phyllis Webstad (Williams Lake) 

Organization Recipients 

  • Qwelmínte Secwépemc (Kamloops) 
  • Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (Port Alberni) 

The 2024 award recipients serve as inspiring examples of what is possible when individuals and organizations commit to reconciliation in meaningful ways. Their efforts honour the past and help create a more inclusive and just future for all British Columbians. 

The British Columbia Reconciliation Award draws inspiration from the work of Steven Point [Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl], the 28th lieutenant governor of British Columbia and a founder of the award. His hand-carved red cedar canoe, Shxwtitostel, currently on display at the B.C. Parliament Buildings, was created as a symbol of reconciliation, with the understanding that “we are all in the same canoe” and must “paddle together” to move forward. 

In honour of this legacy, the 2024 recipients received a print of a canoe paddle designed by Tsm’syen/Nisga’a artist Shawna Kiesman to commemorate their award. Shawna is the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist recipient of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art. The paddle designed by Shawna was installed alongside previous BC Reconciliation Award paddles at Government House on November 5, 2024. 

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that requires listening, learning, and action. By celebrating these achievements, we recognize the power of truth and the enduring strength of Indigenous communities in shaping a more united and respectful society for all British Columbians. 

2024 recipient Phyllis Webstad, speaking for all the awardees, shared her truth in telling her residential school experience along with her drive to tell her story through the Orange Shirt Day initiative. Following Phyllis’ moving remarks, T’esóts’en, Patrick Kelly, who served as Director of Ceremonies, announced that in recognition of Phyllis’ tenacity, courage and loving nature – in sharing her story of survival and incredible strength – the BC Reconciliation Award program will have a new category moving forward:  

The Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader in Reconciliation.

As we look to the future and the challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever to recognize the achievements of youth in our province: “in our children, in our young people, we have hope. They are the ones who will lead us forward, and we need to support and encourage them every step of the way”.  

BC Achievement holds immense gratitude for Her Honour, Janet Austin and how she has worked closely with the Foundation to advance reconciliation in BC. She is a champion for the award programs BC Achievement administers and made reconciliation one of her mandates during her tenure. We look forward to partnering with the 31st Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia and her office on the continuation of the reconciliation journey. 

Nominate someone or an organization worthy of the BC Reconciliation Award before the deadline of February 15, 2025 at bcachievement.com. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.