Congratulations to our Mayor’s Arts Awards winners

Vancouver Community College (VCC) is pleased to announce that four members of the VCC community have been recognized by the City of Vancouver in the 2017 Mayor’s Arts Awards.

The Mayor’s Arts Awards recognize established and emerging artists who have made significant contributions, displayed excellence, or provided leadership in Vancouver’s creative sector.

Leah Patitucci
Culinary Arts – Emerging Artist award

Leah Patitucci is a 20-year-old cook/pastry cook currently working at the Pear Tree Restaurant under Chef Scott Jaeger. Since entering the culinary world in 2012, Patitucci has completed her training at Vancouver Community College, earning her Red Seal Certification. Patitucci also studied baking and pastry arts.

Patitucci has also cooked at some of Vancouver’s top restaurants including Hawksworth and Blackbird Bistro, and spent two years at Temper Chocolate and Pastry, rising to the role of head baker. In 2016, Patitucci traveled to Germany with Culinary Team Canada as a pastry support member for the International Culinary Olympics. In 2016, she won the title of Vancouver Community College Student of the Year.

Artemis Gordon
Dance award

Artemis Gordon is Artistic Director of the Arts Umbrella dance program. The program is now internationally recognized for producing graduates who dance in companies around the world such as Ballet BC, Nederlands Dans Theatre I & II, and Batsheva Dance Company.

Gordon has toured the Arts Umbrella Dance Company to the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, New York, and Montreal and fostered collaborations companies around the world. In 2015, Gordon secured the affiliation between Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella, extending the impact of international choreographers in Vancouver and increasing opportunities for young dancers in Vancouver.

 

Giorgio Magnanensi
Music award

Giorgio Magnanensi is an Italian Canadian composer of orchestral, chamber, and multimedia works that have been performed throughout Europe and elsewhere. He is also active as a conductor and live electronics performer.

As a conductor, he served in many permanent positions in Italy, and as principal conductor of the Vancouver New Music Ensemble since 2000. As a guest conductor, he has conducted in Europe, Japan, and Canada. Giorgio taught composition in various positions in Italy from 1984-1999, and lectured at the College of Music in Tokyo in 1996 and 1998. He is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Community College, and is the artistic director of Vancouver New Music.

 

Earle Peach
Community Engaged Arts award

Earle Peach is a singer, songwriter, composer, conductor, arranger, teacher, and performer. He leads four choirs in the city: the Highs and Lows, a mental health choir; the Solidarity Notes Labour Choir; the Gathering Place choir, a free drop-in group; and InChoiring Minds, a community choir.

Peach hosts a monthly community coffee house in Mount Pleasant called Beats on Broadway. He teaches privately and records musicians for demos and albums. He has written extensively for choirs, folk groups, film, theatre, and dance. He performs with Barbara Jackson as a duo called Songtree, and also has a band called Illiteratty. Earle studied music at VCC.

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Explore your options for a creative career. Meet VCC's award-winning chefs, bakers, musicians, and more at Experience VCC on Oct. 18.