Tuesday, January 8 was an exciting day for Kamloops, a delegation organized by Ron and Rae Fawcett presented their vision for a new Performing Arts Centre to Mayor and City Council. Over 100 supporters filled Council Chambers and overflow rooms and Mayor Ken Christian reported also receiving an unprecedented number of letters in support of the proposal.

The Fawcett's presented a plan for a 103,000 square foot Centre to be built on the corner of St. Paul and 4th Avenue in downtown Kamloops with three variously sized performing art spaces, indoor and outdoor cafes, parking, meeting spaces, operational areas for Western Canada Theatre and the Kamloops Symphony, as well as critically needed permanent storage space for the Kamloops Art Gallery. With over 3,100 works of art in our collection, we have reached capacity in accepting donations and making acquisitions that reflect our cultural history and impact.

This Centre will better serve the needs of our community and allow for new and innovative opportunities to be realized here.

This proposal is now in the hands of City representatives and the Gallery will take an active roll along with WCT and the KSO in realizing this bold, new vision in support of our community.

We have discounted a wide range of our unique inventory from 30% to 90% off until the end of February!! Find amazing deals on jewellery, kids activities and toys, framed art, pottery, home décor and more. We feature local and Canadian-made products from artists and artisans, with a focus on design and function. This is the perfect time to visit our friendly and helpful staff at the Gallery Store, and to score some truly fantastic deals.

Save the date for the Grand Wine Tasting Party – June 1 at The Coast Hotel & Conference Centre. Tickets on sale soon. Various wine related events are planned for all over town. Check beck for details. For any inquiries on the Kamloops Wine Festival please contact Judy Basso, Fundraising Events Coordinator at jbasso [at] kag.bc.ca or 250.377.2404.

The Mayor's Gala for the Arts honoured the best in our City with the announcement of the Mayor's Awards for the Arts on January 19, 2019.

EMERGING ARTIST, which recognizes an emerging Kamloops artist working in the visual and/or performing arts for their current accomplishments and future potential, was jointly awarded to Robin Hodgson and JP Lancaster. Congratulations to finalist Zach Abney.

Robin Hodgson is a working artist, and C5/6 quadriplegic, who graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2013. He primarily works in oil paintings, with a history of doing mural works. Robin is the former co-creator of Padlock Studios, and one of the current owners of REpublic Gallery. More recently he has focused on working with themes related to the struggles of mental health and how that physically reflects upon our society.

JP Lancaster was born and raised in Kamloops and began immersing himself in the local music scene during the late 90s. After spending time playing music in Vancouver and Victoria, Lancaster returned to Kamloops in 2014. He looked to begin a new chapter of music but found the local scene to be devoid of opportunities for bands who pursue an original sound. When Lancaster’s current project, At Mission Dolores, was formed in 2016 he realized he needed to think in bigger terms. This prompted him to form Factotum Cassettes & Oddities, a record label, artist development and promotion company focused on building community around local music. Factotum has booked music for events such as BrewLoops, the Back Alley Block Party and Luminocity. At the core of all of Factotum’s work lies the ethos of music being a platform for genuine human interaction.

COMMUNITY IMPACT, which recognizes outstanding Kamloops individuals and/or small businesses that have made a significant contribution supporting local arts and culture through donations, sponsorships and/or volunteer services in support of a local arts organization and/or Kamloops artist, was awarded to Niki Remesz. Congratulations to finalist Tyson Andrykew.

Niki Remesz is the founder and owner of Uniquely Inspired Marketing (2003), a full-service marketing and consulting firm providing quality, authentic strategies that are uniquely inspired to create tangible results. As the recipient of the City of Kamloops’ 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Niki is an avid supporter of arts, culture, and education. Community driven, Niki is serving as the President of the 2018 BC Winter Games, deemed the “best winter games ever” by BC Games Society President & CEO Kelly Mann. Niki serves as Vice Chair of the Kamloops Arts Commission 2015), is a volunteer usher with Western Canada Theatre and is a CAAWS facilitator for leadership advancement of women and sport and physical activity. Niki sat as Chair of the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Alumni & Friends Association (2009 – 2016), and mentors TRU students. Niki, her husband Steve and their teenage son enjoy an active lifestyle which involves Nordic and downhill skiing, golfing, running, swimming and curling.

CORPORATE CHAMPION, which recognizes outstanding Kamloops business leaders and/or medium to large businesses/corporations that have made a significant contribution supporting local arts and culture through donations, sponsorships and/or volunteer services in support of a local arts organization and/or Kamloops artist, was awarded to Kamloops This Week. Congratulations to finalist IdeaLever.

Kamloops This Week has proudly been publishing the news and stories that touch our community and lives for 30 years. They deliver to over 30,800 homes and businesses in Kamloops and the surrounding area through a network of 450 carriers and drivers. They have a seasoned, award-winning editorial staff, a dedicated team of advertising consultants, and first-rate production, administrative and management teams. Kamloops This Week has recently expanded their company under the digital umbrella. Acknowledging the growing number of consumers relying on online presence was a crucial step in giving their readers what they want. Currently owned by Aberdeen Publishing Group, Kamloops This Week publishes two days each week and produces dozens of special features throughout the year.

Our congratulations to all our nominees, the finalists and our award winners. Your contribution to a vibrant arts and culture sector is exceptional.

The Mayor's Gala for the Arts is a collaborative partnership that brings together the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Symphony, and Western Canada Theatre, to recognize and celebrate the arts and culture sector of Kamloops.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Gala along with this year's sponsors and suporters Arpa Investments, the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre, Lee's Music, Radio NL, the Best Western Plus, Kamloops This Week, Noran Printing, BCLC, Daley & Company LLP, KPMG LLP, Comtar, Fulton & Company LLP, Thompson Rivers University, BDO, Kamloops Arts Council, New Gold Inc., Gehringer Brothers and Kim Anderson Photography.