Volunteers were honoured and a new board chosen as the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council held its 2015 AGM on Oct. 5.
Operators of the ACT honoured volunteers for outstanding service. They were:
• Dorothy Johnson – ACT Art Gallery volunteer of the year;
• Micah Moore – arts program volunteer of the year;
• Betty Millword – theatre volunteer of the year.
The ACT’s Business of the Year was presented to the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association for engaging its membership with artistic and creative promotional activities, ranging from an art crawl to an outdoor film series in Memorial Peace Park.
The 2015-2016 arts council board: Korleen Carreras (president), Dawn Flanagan (vice-president), Bill Thiessen (treasurer), Linda King (secretary), Mike Murray, Brad Tones, Ray Wallis, Bob D’Eith, and newcomers Jason Etherington, Vicki Kipps, Laura Butler and Laura-Beth McDonald.
The council thanked outgoing board members Bonnie Telep (past president), Candace Gordon, and Diane Daignault (treasurer) for their service and championing of the arts.
“Along with thanking our outgoing board members for their dedication to the organization, we also recognize the incredible support of our 110 volunteers who provided over 6,800 hours of service, which is equal to three people working full-time for the year,” said Lindy Sisson, executive and artistic director.
The 2014/15 fiscal year saw 982 events held at the ACT, attracting a total facility attendance of 73,903.