As Art Director for the Papal Visit and Creative Director for Parades, Ceremonies and National Days, Sam also served on the Planning and Permits Board for the City of Vancouver. He assisted with the siting of Expo 86 Public Art legacies and coordinated students, artists, designers and craftspeople to produce the Gateway to the Canada pavilion at Yokohama’s Expo 89. He was a founding member of the Vancouver Public Art Committee and has produced numerous events and fundraisers highlighting BC artists and designers. He was one of the founding members of the Canadian Craft Museum. Sam has worked with Emily Carr graduates from throughout the province who not only have selected young artists to mentor, but also to produce artwork for the Spirit of Place Culture, Sport and Sustainability BC Young Artists Exhibition for the Cultural Olympiad, 2008. This exhibition travelled to the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa during the spring and summer of 2009.
Award Year: 2009
Judson Beaumont
Inspired by kids and their liberal acceptance of the bizarre, Beaumont is widely known for creating whimsical, imaginative and masterful furniture pieces. Beaumont graduated from the 3-D department of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECU) in 1985, and since then has been producing one of-a-kind, interactive designs from his custom design studio, Straight Line Designs Inc. His company has completed unique design projects and installations throughout North America and around the world, including pieces for children’s hospitals, museums, libraries, Disney cruise ships and various exhibitions. His most recent initiative centres around his designs and products using wood from B.C.’s mountain pine beetle forests, thus taking an under-utilized raw material and creating beautiful and unique value-added wood pieces.
Metlakatla Development Corporation
The Metlakatla Development Corporation located outside of Prince Rupert, functions as an independent business arm for the Metlakatla First Nation. The corporation, established in 1989, owns and operates the Metlakatla Ferry Services Ltd., North Co-op Ferry Services Ltd., First Nations Training and Development Centre, Grassy Bay Services Ltd., Metlakatla Forestry Corporation, Seashore Charters Ltd., and Northland Marine Sales and Service Ltd.
Elizabeth Wolak
Elizabeth Wolak is a pioneer in building the musical tradition within Vancouver’s Jewish community. Since arriving in Vancouver in 1963, Elizabeth has continuously directed choirs, showcasing the traditions and beauty of Jewish choral music. In 1981, Elizabeth founded The Shiron Singers, a folk choir that has performed at concerts and in hospitals and seniors’ residences entertaining Jewish and multicultural audiences. As cultural ambassador for the Vancouver Jewish community, Elizabeth has been called ‘one of Canada’s national treasures’ for her contribution to choral work.
Jacob Beaton CopperMoon Communications Inc.
For the past nine years, Jacob Beacon has developed CopperMoon Communications into the first full-service Aboriginal communications agency in Western Canada, championing Aboriginal philosophy with mainstream tools. CopperMoon provides services such as websites, books, branding, communications plans, posters, road signs and video training. CopperMoon now has representatives in three British Columbia locations and serves a diverse client base.
Dorothy Grant
Dorothy Grant’s business is a living legacy. Established in 1992, the business is 100% owned by Haida artist Dorothy Grant. The company has an impressive 15 year history as a successful manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler. Dorothy Grant has built a brand that is unique worldwide. Her international success and recognition have established her as a business which epitomizes the opportunity for Aboriginal entrepreneurial accomplishment, both at home and abroad.
Cristy Johnson Cristy's Jewelry Designs
Cristy Johnson, from the Niaka’pamux First Nation owns Cristy’s Jewelry Designs offering one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry made of sterling silver and semiprecious stones. Operating for just over two years, Ms. Johnson is the sole proprietor of her business and handles most aspects of business operations including design, production, marketing and sales. Her jewelry is sold to retail stores, through her website and directly to customers and most recently garnered national recognition at a major music event.
Chase Office Interiors Inc.
Chase Office Interiors Inc. is a fully integrated contract furniture company. The company services both commercial and government clients that require any combination of design services, contract furniture, installation services and overall project management. Chase Office Interiors Inc. has grown from a small West Vancouver office to now include an office and showroom in Edmonton.
BC General Contracting Inc.
BC General Contracting Inc.|2|Westbank|BC General Contracting Inc. is a civil contracting company, located in Westbank, which provides excavation and installation services for commercial and municipal water projects including roads, water and sewer installation. Since its inception in 2001, the company has grown from a two excavator company providing strictly excavation services to a 41 piece multi-faceted business. BC General Contracting Inc. is now venturing into construction of multi-family real estate development.
Angelique Merasty Levac
Angelique Merasty Levac, a Métis, has revitalized the artistic tradition of birch bark biting and found an entrepreneurial home for her craft and the works of other First Nations in her store, Angelique’s Native Arts. Located in Prince George, the business has been in operation for 14 years. The ability to marry artistic endeavours with an entrepreneurial spirit while meeting the demands of the market place is an excellent role model. Angelique’s talents and success will inspire the next generation of Aboriginal creativity and entrepreneurship.