Thirty years ago, says Hans Behm, members of Bowen Island’s arts community got together to work towards creating better venues for their activities. What they ended up creating was a home for the arts in this community, and the most thriving community organization on-island.
Behm, a two-time president of the Bowen Island Arts Council, awarded two folding chairs on Saturday night for the service and leadership of the Council’s current President, Carol Cram, and Mariana Holbrook.
“Way back in 1987, Martin Clark was putting on plays, and I was bringing classical music concerts to perform in venues that were literally unsafe,” says Behm. “Eventually, the concerts were held in my home, and then at Tunstall Bay Clubhouse. Mariana has revived these events with her Classical Concert Series. In her 20 years of volunteer work with the Arts Council she has been very outspoken. She is the kind of person who, when she gets a button-hold of you, you can’t say NO.”
As Council President for eight years, Carol Cram is the person who has been in this role for the longest period of time.
“She has this talent of bringing ideas people have, and realizing them,” says Behm. “Also, with Jacqueline Massey working alongside she has had the Cultural Masterplan reviewed, which is a remarkable achievement.”
The folding chairs awarded to Holbrook and Cram allow them to enter into any Arts Council event for free, without taking seating away from any other patrons.
Over the years, 16 such chairs have been awarded to Bowen Islanders.
