A local artist finds herself in elite company.
Kent-Harrison Arts Council curator and artist Rosa Quintana Lillo has been nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, under the arts, culture and design category.
She told The Observer she was very honoured to be nominated.
“Also, I am grateful to all in the community who support me in all my artistic and public endeaours,” she added. “I am so privileged and lucky to be able to volunteer for the local arts community via the Kent Harrison Arts Council and Harrison Festival Society and advocate for climate change action in our area alongside many other hard working and caring community members.”
Quintana Lillo has been an artist for more than 30 years. She has collaborated with First Nations and contemporary West Coast artists like Bill Reid, Susan Point and James Hart. Her work has also been featured at the Vancouver Art Gallery, where she painted for the Michael Lin Mural Project. She sculpted for the Vancouver film industry and created props at Emily Carr University and The Art Institute of Vancouver.
Quintana Lillo is a local environmental advocate, appearing as a speaker before the District of Kent Council to call on local authorities to combat climate change. Her work has been featured locally at the Agassiz Library and the Ranger Station Art Gallery north of Harrison Hot Springs.
Now in its 41st year, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards “honour individuals and organizations whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the wellbeing and future of our community,” according to a release from YWCA Metro Vancouver. Since 1984, more than 355 people have received awards out of 2,188 nominees.
Award recipients will be announced at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala in Vancouver on May 13.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is a registered charity dedicated to gender equity, providing a number of holistic programs including child care, employment services and affordable housing.
Learn more at ywcavan.org.