HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY FANS (1995- 2025)
FANS Tribute to the Arts - November 19, 2025
Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancouver
Join us for a 30th celebration of Arts on the North Shore, with emcee Denalda Williams and a special spotlight performance by Melanie Dekker. The event includes an array of culinary delights, fundraising auctions, live music and presentation of cash grants to local artists. The night will culminate with the prestigious FANS Distinguished Artist Awards presented to visual artist Martha Sturdy and indie-band sensation Peach Pit. Continue reading for more information and how to buy tickets.
MARTHA STURDY
For decades, Sturdy’s work has caught the appreciation of collectors, artists, designers, and editorial teams internationally. From the maquette-like wearable sculpture that adorned the models of New York in the 1980s, to her contemporary large-format sculptural practice, she has been featured in American, Italian and French Vogue, Wallpaper*, Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar España, and Architectural Digest. In 2025 she was appointed to the Order of British Columbia, in 2005 she was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA), and in 2002 she was presented with a Golden Jubilee Award by the Governor General for her achievements internationally as a Canadian artist.
Peach Pit
Peach Pit has become a standout in indie rock, known for their ability to craft songs that are both sonically rich and emotionally resonant. Since their 2016 debut Sweet FA, the Vancouver-based band—lead singer Neil Smith, guitarist Chris Vanderkooy, bassist Peter Wilton, and drummer Mikey Pascuzzi—have continuously evolved, expanding their sound while staying true to the heartfelt songwriting that first captured listeners’ attention.
(band will be on tour, designate to accept the award)
Spotlight Performer - Melanie Dekker
A voice like chocolate—sunny, soulful, and powerful. This North Vancouver-born entertainer has released 9 acoustic-pop albums and performs 80 shows a year. Known for her warm stage presence and musical diversity, Mela has opened for Bryan Adams, Faith Hill, Russell Peters, and Chaka Khan. Her hit “I Said I” earned national radio play, and she’s a medal-winning musician with a music diploma. Her performances radiate warmth and authenticity, inviting audiences into a rich world of song where artistry and heart meet. www.melaniedekker.com
Make Wednesday November 19th your night to support the arts on the North Shore.
FANS VIDEO
Artists bring people together to see, hear and experience the world in new and imaginative ways. They help us reflect on who we are and where we are going. Artists help build vibrant creative communities. With this in mind FANS was created as a support system for local artists.
FANS is forever grateful for the support received from local businesses. Many of these business have provide support year after year. Bravo to these amazing businesses!
For more information about how to be a FANS sponsor, please email: fansawards@gmail.com
Individual artists may apply to the Don S. Williams Award for financial support. The award is intended to encourage and assist North Shore artists, who have demonstrated a maturity of talent in the advancement of their artistic careers.
The FANS Distinguished Artist Award is intended to publicly recognize and honour North and West Vancouver artists who have created a substantial, nationally recognized body of work in performing, visual, literary or media arts.
Read more›
The FANS Society has been hosting an annual arts awards event, to celebrate the vibrant and accomplished North Shore artistic community, since 1995. Over the years the evening has taken on many varied formats and provided the society with the opportunity to:
