Meet the June panel. This group of esteemed jurors draw from different periods of my life going back to kindergarten, all the way up to an artist I came to know just last month. Discover some of the faces behind The Union House as things take shape.
June Jury
Mary Louise Albert
I met Mary-Louise soon after discovering a passion for dance. She has long been a fixture of the dance scene in Vancouver and across Canada. After a career as one of the cities finest dance performers, she went on to become managing artistic producer of the Chutzpah Festival at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. After 15 years of outstanding contribution, she left the position to lead the BC Movement Arts Society which brings dance to rural and underserved communities.
Ruthie Shurgarman
I met Ruthie in elementary school. She was an avid crafter and entrepreneur. By high school she had her own business selling jewelry and later Stick and Stonz selling one of a kind hat pins. Next she launched Balcony Art, a small scale landscaping business. Now she is one of Vancouver’s top realtors with Dexter Realty. An artist at heart, Ruthie has been a long time supporter. She currently sits on the board of Arts Umbrella, and is on the committee of Splash, as well as being a sponsor of the city’s largest Art Auction and Gala.
Sandi Croft
I met Sandi when she was teaching classes at Harbor Dance and dreaming of working for Cirque Du Soleil. Next thing I knew she was dancing for Celine Dion, A new Day in Las Vegas, and then went on to become managing artistic director of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystery, O, and Zumanity. Sandi has a passion for all the arts and artful living. Currently she works with the One Drop Foundation, and can be seen on HGTV’s This Tiny House, building her TeePee in the desert outside Las Vegas.
Annie Canto
I came to know of Annie Canto last month when she was nominated my acclaimed artist Justin Langlois as The Union House artist of the Month. Her captivating work Metronome went on the win the competition. Annie is a recent graduate of Emily Carr and an artist relevant to our times. Her areas of research include socially engaged art, critical race theory, and engaged pedagogy. She is also an active board member of the Vancouver Artist Labour Union.