Wednesday, April 29, 2020
PPOC 50th ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS GALA
The Professional Photographers of Canada had big plans to celebrate their 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) along with their Awards Gala in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan April 24 - 27th. Unfortunately, those plans abruptly changed with the growing restrictions due to COVID-19. Instead of canceling the entire convention, it was decided to go ahead with the first (and hopefully last) Virtual Awards Gala that celebrates the successes and achievements of the dedicated service of their members as well as their photography skills. Many thanks to all those involved in producing this event.
The evening went on without a "hitch", and was broadcast through an Online Meeting platform, as well as "Live" Streaming on Facebook. There were about 600 viewers at this online Gala, in which the General Public was also invited. It began with a virtual cocktail hour with members gathering together in anticipation of the big evening! Chill jazz music played softly in the background while inspiring competition images cycled through on our screens and members chatted.
Members watched and cheered at the event, from the safety of their homes. A variety of attire was adorned - everything from formal gowns to cozy pajamas. Of course an assortment of beverages were consumed while the show was broadcast, and there was an amazing sense of "PPOC Community" that was felt by everyone. The evenng was showcased in both English and French courtesy of Nelson Simard HLM MPA SPA, who was the Master of Ceremonies.
Our Chairlady - Louise Vessey MPA SPA provided a personal message to all the members at the Gala - and "virtually" presented many of the major awards. PPOC Chairlady, Louise Vessey from Charlottetown, PEI said, “It was such a wonderful evening! I was fancy from the waist up, pyjamas on the bottom (as per the dress code) and didn’t have to wear uncomfortable shoes! It was great that my husband and many other members’ spouses were able to attend. They wouldn’t have been able to otherwise due to distance.” PPOC would also like to thank Louise for her Leadership and Timeless Energy as the Chairperson for the last three years.
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Many photographers achieved either their First, or an Advancement in their current Professional Photography Designations. This included: Craftman of Photographic Arts (CPA); Master of Photographic Arts (MPA); Service of Photographic Arts (SPA). Congratulations to all the PPOC Members who reached these Designations or received another BAR!
Crafstman of Photographic Arts (CPA) Artisan des arts photographiques (CPA):
Danielle Barabé-Bussières / PPOC ON; Steve Cain / PPOC ON; Melanie Cervo / PPOC AB; Liette Chamberland / PPOC QC; Candice Daum / PPOC MB; Gerald David / PPOC AB; Karen Evans / PPOC BC; Kathryn Gardner / PPOC BC; Jocelyne Hebert / PPOC MB; Joanna Knorr / PPOC SK; Nathalie Mathieu / PPOC QC; Maurice Melanson / PPOC AT; Tracy Munson / PPOC AT; Michael Muraz / PPOC ON; Catherine Petitclerc / PPOC QC; Isabelle Potvin / PPOC QC; Pierre Robinson / PPOC QC; Craig Sallenbach / PPOC AB; Larry Scherban / PPOC BC; JoEllen Sevcenko / PPOC MB; Josée Talbot / PPOC QC; Len Waddell / PPOC BC; Cheryl Webb / PPOC AB; Victoria West / PPOC AT
Master of Photographic Arts (MPA) Maître des arts photographiques (MPA):
Gerald David / PPOC AB; Kim Downie / PPOC MB; Iris Jackson / PPOC AB; Jeff Noon / PPOC AB; Tina Richardson / PPOC BC; Linda Ryma / PPOC ON; Tanya Sedore / PPOC AB
MPA 1st Bar / 1ere Barre:
MPA Krista Crellin / PPOC SK; Susan Dykstra / PPOC ON; Gabor Gasztonyi / PPOC BC; Louise Gingras / PPOC ON; Jayson Hencheroff / PPOC BC; Chelsea Jones / PPOC AB; Nathalie Lamy / PPOC ON; Lois Nuttall / PPOC ON; Ross Outerbridge / PPOC BC
MPA 2nd Bar / 2e Barre:
MPA Alison Berk / PPOC SK; Jillian Chateauneuf / PPOC BC; Sébastien Lavallée / PPOC ON; Anna Pelletier-Doble / PPOC ON; Debbie Malm / PPOC BC; Kelsey Qualman / PPOC SK
MPA 3rd Bar / 3e Barre:
MPA Allan Bailey / PPOC AB; Darwin Mulligan / PPOC AB; Moira Neal / PPOC BC; Jill Shantz / PPOC AB; Louise Vessey / PPOC AT; Paul Wright / PPOC BC
MPA 4th Bar / 4e Barre:
MPA Gina Yesnik / PPOC BC MPA
5th Bar / 5e Barre:
MPA Claude Brazeau / PPOC ON MPA
7th Bar / 7e Barre:
MPA Marlene Fast / PPOC MB
MPA 8th Bar / 8e Barre:
MPA Bruce Hendricks / PPOC MB; MaryEllen Nealis / PPOC AT
MPA 10th Bar / 10e Barre:
MPA Daphne Carlyle / PPOC BC MPA
16th Bar / 16e Barre:
MPA Don MacGregor / PPOC BC
Service of Photographic Arts Service des arts photographiques:
Wayne Inverarity / PPOC SK; Chris Thombs / PPOC AB; Berni Wood / PPOC AT
SPA 1st Bar / 1ere Barre SPA:
Jillian Chateauneuf / PPOC BC; Marlene Fast / PPOC MB
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STUDENT COMPETITION / COMPETITION L'ETUDIANT:
1. Commercial / Commerciale (sponsored by Lee Filters): Rana Bader - Fanshawe College, ON
2. Portrait & Wedding / Portrait & Mariage (sponsored by Lee Filters): Parker Ruby - Fanshawe College, ON
3. General / Générale & Student Best of Show / Meilleure de Salon Étudiant (sponsored by Lee Filters): Majid Jahanmiri - Fanshawe College, ON
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SPECIAL AWARDS:
1. Honorary SPA: Tanya Thompson
It has been 20 years that Tanya Thompson has been of service to PPOC as our Executive Director. She consistently goes above and beyond her call of duty. She has a love and passion for our association and its members, not to mention a ridiculous ability to remember details from years gone by. While PPOC is a volunteer driven association, oftentimes positions are not filled or jobs are not completed. Tanya and her team have always stepped to the plate to help in any and every way possible. She truly is the heartbeat of our Association.
2. NATIONAL CITATION OF SERVICE: Tina Weltz MPA, SPA
Over the years Tina has served on many national committees including Unification, Accreditation, Convention, NEC committees, as well as managing our Trade Expos. She has volunteered both as a judge and assistant at several National Image Competitions. She joined the National Board in 2011 and served as Chair from 2014 to 2017 during which time she represented PPOC in China at the 2015 Pingyao International Photography Festival. As past Chair, she has remained a non-voting member and an advisor at all Board meetings offering her advice and wisdom. She is a valued member who always steps up to the plate, never makes excuses, and gets the job done.
3. YOUSUF KARSH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Bruce Hendricks MPA, F.Ph, F/PPOC-BC, CPP
This award goes to the member who has shown outstanding achievements in photographic competition. You need to have achieved a minimum of 4000 points from image competitions alone and it speaks directly to the talent of the photographer.
4. FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Bruce Hendricks MPA, F.Ph, F/PPOC-BC, CPP
The highest honour in PPOC is Fellow Of The Professional Photographers of Canada. It requires a minimum of 10 consecutive years in the association. You must have achieved your Masters of Photographic Arts and a minimum of 2 Bars. Plus you have to write a 7,000 word thesis on the science, art or business of photography. The paper must be educational in content. Bruce is only the 8th recipient in the 50 year history of our Organization.
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BEST IN CLASS / MEILLEURE DE SA CATÉGORIE:
PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE YEAR / PHOTOGRAPHES DE L'ANNEE:
