Well before she became executive director of the Okanagan International Festival of Animation, Anne Denman was learning about the arts from her father, a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musician. Growing up in an artistic household gave Denman the opportunity to explore a variety of art forms, but it害羞草研究所檚 film that would ultimately grip her heart.
After working in live action film for several years, Denman entered the animation field at the age of 26. Her work with International Rocketship and the Vancouver Film School would propel her to the international stage and open the door to film festival planning, which she gladly embraced.
害羞草研究所淚 was headhunted by the organizer of the Cardiff International Animation Festival to assist with an animation festival in Portland,害羞草研究所� Denman said.
害羞草研究所淚t was a wonderful experience. I worked with Irene Kotlarz, who is the personification of integrity in art.害羞草研究所�
Decades later, Denman would take on a variety of roles in human resources and recruitment for media and entertainment companies before becoming the managing director of Bardel Entertainment害羞草研究所攁ll experiences that would prepare her for her current project, the inaugural Okanagan International Festival of Animation.
While Denman is tight-lipped about the festival itself, she害羞草研究所檚 proud to be working with some of the business and animation community害羞草研究所檚 most respected leaders.
害羞草研究所淲e have a great board of directors,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淥ur chair and artistic director, Danny Antonucci, is best known for creating Cartoon Network害羞草研究所檚 Ed, Edd n Eddy. There害羞草研究所檚 Corrie Griffiths, who is a powerhouse in this community. We also have Ashley Ramsay from Yeti Farm, who is a force to be reckoned with, plus some big international players like Rachelle Lewis. She did recruitment for Rugrats and The Simpsons.害羞草研究所�
Denman害羞草研究所檚 love of animation and art has spurred her to act as a mentor for Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 up-and-coming young artists, and she害羞草研究所檚 happy to be part of the support network that helps artists to succeed. After two years of Okanagan road trips, Denman has seen what the Okanagan Valley has to offer young artists, and she害羞草研究所檚 eager to entice artists to embrace the Okanagan lifestyle.
The end goal? Encouraging more arts students to become working artists. 害羞草研究所淐reatives are the archivists of our society. That害羞草研究所檚 why I want to bring the working artist害羞草研究所檚 perspective to arts education. (It takes a network of people) to support these artists and their big visions.害羞草研究所�
In service of that mission, Denman serves on arts advisory boards for Sheridan College, Okanagan College, and the UBC Okanagan Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.
But supporting students in pursuing the arts is just the start for Denman, who is on a mission to unleash the transformative and healing power of art in the Okanagan.
害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 important that we break down boundaries and connect as people. That害羞草研究所檚 why my next non-profit will work on helping people who are trying to get off the streets害羞草研究所攁nd it害羞草研究所檒l do that through art.害羞草研究所�
For Denman, it害羞草研究所檚 all about the power of creativity to transform others害羞草研究所� perspectives and connect on a deeper level.
She says that life is about passion, about satisfying the innate human drive to create, and about connecting with others.
害羞草研究所淲e all have that sense of wanting to create something and appreciate the aesthetic. It害羞草研究所檚 why we work. As Carl Jung said, art is a nonverbal language. We all want to connect in some way. Art and culture makes you a critical thinker, so you don害羞草研究所檛 just follow. It makes you question. That害羞草研究所檚 what I want to be a part of.害羞草研究所�
Denman acknowledges that a career in art isn害羞草研究所檛 an easy one 害羞草研究所� it takes several years of hard work to earn a living as an artist 害羞草研究所� but she says that working artists are ideally positioned to re-shape the world.
害羞草研究所淚f money is your priority, well, there are much easier ways to make money. Art is all about passion. I went with the career that made me feel in my element and helped me make a difference. That害羞草研究所檚 what I hope to promote and support for all artists.害羞草研究所�
Denman notes that the animation industry is facing a talent shortage, and that the industry needs more passionate and creative people to continue doing great work. 害羞草研究所淎rt and animation is the golden gig. Every Thursday afternoon, I keep my schedule open so artists can come in and ask questions, and I just listen and give them what I can. People ask me why I do this. And I say, 害羞草研究所業t害羞草研究所檚 what we害羞草研究所檙e here to do.害羞草研究所� What害羞草研究所檚 more important?害羞草研究所�
Crowe MacKay害羞草研究所檚 Women to Watch program is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community, concluding October 15. After terrific response, the nomination period for 2016 is now closed. Watch this space each week to see our remaining Women to Watch.
