To the editor:
On behalf of the 100 Mile & District Arts Council, I would like to publicly congratulate local arts advocate Dennis Tupman on the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree that was conferred on him by the University of Victoria on Nov. 9.
Dennis has been the recipient of many awards, including the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Arts Leadership, an Honorary Life Member in the Canadian Music Educator’s Association, and an Honorary Life Member of the BC Choral Federation.
He and his wife, Ruth, were declared 100 Mile & District Citizen of the Year recipients in 2010.
We know it is difficult to quantify the impact the arts have on a community. In a world where wealth tends to be measured in money, we often overlook the fact that arts and cultural activities transform us emotionally and spiritually and greatly enhance the quality of our lives.
As we lose more and more of “the commons” in our communities, the importance of people acting together as a single unit cannot be overstressed. Modern life may often seem sterile, but creating beauty in a group is a powerful antidote to feelings of ennui and weariness.
We are so lucky Dennis has dedicated his life to the promotion of the performing arts in schools and the community-at-large. As his awards attest, his impacts have been felt well beyond our local community.
Again, congratulations Dennis and Ruth (for no man is an island) for your latest recognition.
Gordon Hoglund, president
100 Mile & District Arts Council
