Vancouver, BC (October 11, 2023):Today, the awardees of the 19th annual Applied Art + Design Award (AAD) have been announced by the BC Achievement Foundation, an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province. The award program celebrates British Columbians who excel at creating functional art and design, while advancing the collective conversation around its importance.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Applied Art + Design Award! Your remarkable talents and dedication to applied art and design deserve this recognition for excellence in your field,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “By highlighting your outstanding work, we shine a light on the invaluable contributions of designers blending art and function, enriching our lives with creativity and innovation that shape the aesthetics of our world while contributing to BC’s cultural economy. Your passion and skill inspire others to pursue their artistic dreams, and we applaud your commitment to elevating the realm of applied art and design. Well done!”
The Applied Art + Design Award spotlights inspiring examples of functional art that enhances day-to-day life for individuals, while strengthening the cultural and economic fabric of the province. Artists and designers are celebrated for creating exceptional work that has practical or functional applications across a variety of areas, including furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, and industrial design.
The recipients of the 2023 Applied Art + Design Award are:
Kate Metten – Vancouver, Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist
Bridget Catchpole – Hornby Island
Riley McFerrin – Vancouver
Marie Khouri – Vancouver, Award of Distinction
The board of the BC Achievement Foundation, in consultation with the community, has named Marie Khouri as the 2023 Award of Distinction, honouring her exceptional career and lifetime achievement in sculpture and public art.
Awardees were selected by an independent jury, whose members include Renée Macdonald, Westerly Handmade Shoes (2015 recipient); Claudia Schulz, Claudia Schulz Hats (2018 recipient); and Henry Norris, furniture maker (2018 recipient). Ron Kong, craft advocate, and Toby Barratt, Propellor Design (2010 recipient), both served as advisors to the jury.
This year’s Applied Art + Design awardees have once again propelled BC Achievement’s mission to elevate excellence, share success, and inspire change. Recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony next month and will be featured in two short films showcasing their artistic accomplishments. Awardees will also be recognized through the online campaign, #shinethelightbc.
Additionally, BC Achievement is proud to present a combined exhibition showcasing the 2023 award recipients for both the Applied Art + Design Award and Polygon Award in First Nations Art. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver from Thursday, November 16 to Wednesday, November 22. Register for the exhibition here.
Interviews with representatives of the BC Achievement Foundation and award recipients are available upon request. A media kit, including awardee bios and high-resolution images, can be found here.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation or the Applied Art + Design Award program, please visit www.bcachievement.com.
The BC Achievement Foundation is also grateful to supporting sponsor TELUS and community partners BC Ferries, Denbigh Fine Art Services, and The Roundhouse each of which play a key role in elevating excellence in their support of the Applied Art + Design Award program.
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About BC Achievement
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. In addition to the Applied Art + Design Award, the organization presents several established programs, including the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, the Indigenous Business Award, the Community Award and in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the BC Reconciliation Award. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow. www.bcachievement.com
BC Achievement Media Contact
Gemma Bishop
T: 604-375-6953
E: gemma@gatherpublicrelations.com
2023 AAD Awardee Backgrounders
Bridget Catchpole, Hornby Island
Bridget Catchpole, a celebrated multidisciplinary artist renowned for her exceptional contemporary art jewellery, has garnered widespread recognition for her innovative work in the realm of wearable art. With a distinct artistic vision, Bridget stands out as a pioneer in the use of single-use plastics and marine debris, addressing critical issues such as material exploitation, consumerism, and climate change through her artistry.
Bridget’s art is truly transformative, demonstrating her unique ability to elevate everyday objects into captivating one-of-a-kind adornments. She consistently seeks inspiration through collaborations with esteemed international contemporary artists, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Her recent achievements include various Canada Council for the Arts grants to support her recent body of work, Stages of Healing, a solo exhibition in Montréal, and an international artist residency in Athens, Greece, underscoring her contributions to British Columbia’s cultural economy. Bridget’s work implicitly speaks to the human condition, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and urgently calling for a re-evaluation of our relationship with discarded materials. Her creative vision not only celebrates her artistic passion but also serves as a powerful reminder of the pressing issues facing our world today.
Riley McFerrin, Vancouver
Riley McFerrin, the visionary founder of Hinterland Design, has an extraordinary ability to transform natural materials into enduring, functional pieces of art and his talents have reshaped the industry. His deep understanding of the interplay between design, materials, and end users shines through in every creation.
For over a decade, Riley has consistently demonstrated his commitment to crafting furniture and lighting that showcases the beauty of natural materials, resulting in aesthetically pleasing, durable works that evolve gracefully over time. Each piece emerging from Hinterland Design reflects a blend of creative vision and honed craftsmanship, a rare fusion in today’s design landscape.
Riley’s meticulous attention to detail and profound understanding of user experience ensure that his pieces not only withstand the test of time but also enhance the lives of those who engage with them. Beyond mastering woodworking, he serves as an inspiration for fellow craftsmen and artisans, seamlessly blending artistry, sustainability, and functionality in products that stand apart in the industry.
Kate Metten, Vancouver
Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist
Kate Metten’s pottery is a testament to intuition and muscle memory found within each unique piece. An exceptional commitment and dedication to her craft have made her an emerging artistic force in the world of ceramics.
Her journey as a potter is characterized by her one-of-a-kind ceramics that resonate with spirit and soul. Her vessels, masterfully thrown and intricately glazed, are prized by a growing clientele for their exquisite craftsmanship. What sets Kate apart is her ability to infuse the ordinary with the extraordinary, transforming everyday objects into iconic art pieces.
Beyond her artistic prowess, Kate’s contributions to the cultural economy are noteworthy. She runs an atelier bridging the gap between artist and audience. Kate’s impact on the cultural economy extends beyond her own creations. She conducts workshops, mentors students, and curates exhibitions, providing emerging potters and craftspeople with exposure and opportunities. Her success becomes a legacy by which she passes on her knowledge and passion, inspired by the mentors who guided her own journey.
Marie Khouri, Vancouver
Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement
Renowned sculptor Marie Khouri’s work is a profound exploration of identity, belonging, and connection, blending traditional sculpting techniques with contemporary materials and innovative construction methods.
Born in Egypt and raised in Lebanon, Marie’s artistic journey mirrors her personal odyssey, reflecting themes of movement, community, and unity. Her unique immigrant perspective, cultivated during years spent across Europe before settling in Canada, resonates with diverse audiences, fostering a sense of togetherness through her sculptural creations.
With a background as a language interpreter and formal sculpture education at the prestigious L’Ecole du Louvre in Paris, Marie continually draws from the power of language to forge new connections through her art. Her work straddles the boundary between art and design, embracing the principles of form and function akin to the modernist ethos epitomized by the Bauhaus School.
Over the past two decades, Marie’s artwork has graced exhibitions across Europe and North America, and she has left an indelible mark with over 25 public sculptures in Canada and abroad, alongside numerous large-scale pieces held in private collections worldwide. Marie’s collaborative spirit shines as she collaborates closely with developers, architects, and community stakeholders to craft sculptures that authentically reflect and enhance the communities they inhabit.
First recognized by BC Achievement in 2014 with the Applied Art + Design award, Marie’s enduring impact on the world of art and design now culminates in the Award of Distinction designation, celebrating her outstanding body of work and lifetime achievements.