Celebrating the 2020 Culture & Heritage Award recipients

Mayor brings greetings & congrats as honorees achievements are profiled online

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 4, 2020 9:00 AM

Each year, the City of Nanaimo recognizes outstanding contributions to the culture and vibrancy of our community with the Culture & Heritage Awards. The following individuals were nominated by their peers for the 2020 Culture & Heritage Awards and endorsed by City Council:

• PATRICK ALECK, Emerging Cultural Leader: (www.nanaimo.ca/goto/emerging-cultural-leader)
• DEVON JOINER, Excellence in Culture: (www.nanaimo.ca/goto/excellence-in-culture)
• GARY & ADAM MANSON, Honour in Heritage: (www.nanaimo.ca/goto/honour-in-heritage)
• TRISH & GEOFF HORROCKS, Honour in Culture: (www.nanaimo.ca/goto/honour-in-culture)

Traditionally, recipients are honoured as part of a lively, public celebration at the Port Theatre. This year, because of measures to protect our community from COVID-19, the gathering will not take place as planned.

In place of the event, on behalf of Council, Mayor Leonard Krog will personally deliver greetings and a special gift to the homes of local award recipients, while practicing physical distancing. At the same time, the City will release specially commissioned photographs and video profiles that celebrate the achievements of the honorees.

“The vision, passion and dedication of these honorees is inspiring and uplifting," said Julie Bevan, Manager of Culture & Events, "It’s a perfect time for a dose of inspiration and to highlight the stories of these leaders who are making a difference in our communities everyday. We’ll look forward to gathering and celebrating together next year, but in the meantime, we wanted to profile their work, to recognize their achievements, and make sure they know their contributions are truly valued. We want them to feel the love.”

Mayor Leonard Krog, who was scheduled to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2020 event, said “On behalf of City Council, I offer my heartiest congratulations and sincere thanks for the work that Patrick, Devon, Gary, Adam, Trish and Geoff do in our city. Their work contributes to our collective quality of life, and I commend the service, the generosity of spirit, and the talent that these award winners exemplify.”

To learn more about the work of the 2020 Culture & Heritage honorees, view the City's website using the links above and follow on Instagram at @culture_nanaimo.

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