2010 Wearable Art Exhibition Awards Night

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

We wanted to see the Port Moody Arts Centre Wearable Art Exhibition (see previous post here) at least one more time and were lucky enough to be invited to the Awards Night, Friday, February 5th. Every room, hallway and even a room upstairs was filled with a retrospective of past entries as well as the ones entered for 2010. This was a great community celebration with the Mayor, City Manager, City Council members, Arts Centre Staff, Wearable Art Committee members, local Business owners, Artists and many other visitors in attendance. Delicious food was by Rodos Kouzina and Pegasus Pizza and the delectable dessert was by Rubens Chocolate. Advertising support was generously provided through local papers and by The Georgia Straight which also sponsored the Olympic entry awards. The Mayor, Joe Trasolini, spoke highly of the Wearable Art Exhibit, commenting on its international recognition and international artists from as far away as Australia and Israel and closer to home, here and the USA. He spoke about the creative combination of art and fashion and how the inoovative use of materials made each piece thought provoking. The exhibit consists of pieces from the past six years of this event and is displayed all around the city. All participants, including the artists, committee members, judges, community businesses, Arts Centre staff and The Gaming Commission and local papers were thanked and we were all invited to vote for our favourite selection before March 21st when the Pasta Polo People's Choice Winner will be announced. As well, we were reminded that information about entries for the 2011 Wearable Arts Competition is available at www.wearableartawards.com Jane Mathews, Executive Director of the Port Moody Arts Centre announced this year's awards and there were two (First and Honorable Mention) per category.

Category 1 - Mantel

(sponsored by Pacific Coast Terminals Co. Ltd.) emphasizes form or shape rather than material.

First Place Winner

Tracey Littlewood of Port Coquitlam for Txa'msem Steals Back Pride

Honorable Mention
Mary Walker - Metamorphosis of Hope


Category 2 - Canadian Spirit
(Sponsored by The Georgia Straight) emphasis on Story Telling

First Place
Elena Gregusova, North Vancouver - Dream Catcher


Honorable Mention
Bridget Branch, South Carolina, USA - A Cup (Acorns)


Category 3 - Olympic
( Sponsored by the Port Moody Arts Centre Society) emphasized Sport and History

First Place
Claire Murgatroyd, Vancouver - Pentagram 'Apple' Psychic Shield


Honorable Mention
Carolyn Morgan, St John NFLD, - Bra - Olympic Support

(Images via wearableartawards.com)

This was a great community celebration and honoring of Arts and Culture in Port Moody. The warm welcome, beautiful setting, dazzling displays, colourful advertising and brochures, delicious food and thank you's all around made this not only a yearly event for your calendar but also an ongoing invitation to an Arts Centre that is truly a place for everyone. Thanks to Andrew Daneffel for the organization and introduction to Wearable Art and to the Port Moody Arts Centre.