The Town of Ladysmith has presented Citizen of the Year to the president of the local arts council through her efforts to portray the small community as predominant in arts and culture on Vancouver Island.
Kathy Holmes says she was taken by surprise when she was called up to receive this honor, but art and culture are becoming more apparent every day.
“I didn’t know I was nominated, let alone receiving the award,” Holmes says. “I just feel so honored, and pleased, to be walking in the shoes of many other people who have made our town really amazing.”
She says although she has been recognized by the selection committee the award goes to everyone who works on the council and those who help promoted culture and art in the town.
“It is an honor to be the citizen of the year,” Holmes says. “A lot of people helped me get here and I have to thank them too,”
Holmes says although she has stepped back from her role on the council this award will signify the importance of the work they do and hopefully inspire future generations of artists to come forward.
“We are continuing to work hard to support art in Ladysmith,” she says. “We are hoping through education, art bombing downtown, along with classes at the gallery it will become livelier and more aware around Ladysmith.”
Holmes says there are many different forms that dictate art, but the arts council tries to emulate it all to show Ladysmith’s, and the surrounding areas, reputation and heritage to the rest of the province.
“Art is everywhere right down to the t-shirt you wear, and the car you drive,” she says. “We have been immersed in art we just really haven’t paid attention to it.”
Holmes received the award on Aug. 1 during Ladysmith Days.
