Headlines/July 8, 1998

Harrison Festival of the Arts wins Betty Urquhart community service award

The Harrison Festival Society has two things to celebrate this year Agassiz office in 1985. In fact, the festival “has consistently — its 20" anniversary and the honour of its summer festival being featured student work from UCFV’s Theatre, Fine Arts and

named winner of UCFV’s Betty Urquhart Community Service award.

“It’s really an honour to be recognized by UCFV, one of our partners in the festival throughout our 20 years,” said Phyllis Stenson, executive director of the festival. Stenson, her husband and fellow festival supporter Ed Stenson, and Lynda Scobie accepted the award on behalf of the Harrison Festival Society at UCFV’s recent convocation ceremony. -

“It’s particularly special since it’s our 20" anniversary,” said Stenson, who began her work at the festival as a volunteer in 1983. What makes the award even more meaningful is that it is named for Betty Urquhart, Ed Stenson said. “Betty was a strong supporter of the festival. She was always there for us when we needed help.”

The Harrison Festival of the — Arts is a celebration of world music, theatre, dance and the visual arts. Each summer the small village of Harrison Hot Springs fills with artists from around the world who take part in outdoor entertainment, theatre, concerts, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, literary readings, art exhibits and a juried art | market. The festival showcases artists, performers, and writers that exhibit the cultural diversity. of Canada as well as the cultures of developing nations around the world. _

“The festival is unique because it not only entertains, but educates people about issues relevant to Canadian society

‘such as racism and human rights, and issues relating to global development,” Stenson said.

In nominating the festival for the award, Bob Warick, Director of UCFV Community Relations and Development, said: “The - festival provides an opportunity for artists and audience to meet and share ideas and address social i issues embodied in the art and music.” .

Warick also commended the festival for assisting the local school district with performing arts programming and for remaining a strong community link between the people of Agassiz-Harrison and UCFV since the closing of the college’s

Marilyn Fane presents the Betty Urquhart award to (I-r) Ed Stenson, Lynda Scobie and Phyllis Stenson of the Harrison Festival Society:

Communications departments.” |

Although the mandate of the festival has changed over the years, it has remained successful in maintaining its grass roots community spirit while at the same time receiving credibility as a nationally significant event, Warick said. Over one hundred members of the community volunteer their time each summer to make the festival a success. Some families are even into their third generation of volunteers.

“The most important factor of the Festival Society’s longevity. and success has been the support of its volunteers. Without their commitment and dedication, nothing would happen,” Warick said.

Stenson agreed. “Because we have such great support in the. community, we’ve been able to produce a first-rate, professional event while still keeping it small and intimate. I think the people here appreciate having this type of program ‘in their own home town.”

With arts funding so insecure, Stenson feels the challenge for the future will be to maintain the high standards the festival has set in providing quality programming. “We've developed quite a reputation for our innovative and creative programming,” she said. “With the prevailing financial climate for arts organizations, our goal will - be to keep that reptitation intact.”

This year’s festival runs from July 3-12 and will showcase more than 200 international; national and local artists and

‘performers. For more information, contact the festival office at

6) 796-3664.

The UCFV community service award is named after the late “Betty Urquhart, one of UCFV’s founding employees and a strong believer in the obligation of the university college to play an important role in the communities it serves.