Celebrating the women of Cold Lake, March 8, 2016

Article: Celebrating the women of Cold Lake, Cold Lake Sun, March 8, 2016

Celebrating the women of Cold Lake

Successful women in Cold Lake celebrated at annual awards Celina Ip, Staff Writer

(Excerpt:) Female movers, shakers and risk takers were recognized at Cold Lake’s 2016 Women of Influence Awards.

More than 100 came out to the event on March 4 at the Cold Lake Seniors Centre to show their support to the nominees.

Of the 29 nominees, winners included Maredith Kelzer for the Arts and Culture Award, Kelli Wispinski for the Business and Professional Award, Janelle Sloychuk for the Volunteer and Community Award and Sheryl McCormick for the Health and Wellness Award.

This year’s Overall Woman of Influence Award went to local artist Pat Coulter.

In 2015, Coulter made big waves in the local, provincial, national and internaltional art scene.

This summer, Coulter was featured on the cover of Art Business News magazine and included in their list of Top 40 Artists to Watch This Year.

This past winter, Coulter was one of 47 world artists included in an online art exhibition through New York’s Manhattan Arts International. Most recently, Coulter was approached by PBS to be featured in their television progra, “Put Some Colour In your Life.” The episode was filmed this page January and is now up on YouTube.

Coulter was awestruck upon hearing her name announced as the overall winner.

“I’m thrilled and humbled because often art is just considered something or a nice little hobby,” she said. “I’m glad to see that an artist can be considered for an overall award.”

“I’m also really glad to see that women are being celebrated and I think there are so many women here tonight who’ve just done great things and it’s a wonderful time to reflect on all of the challenges women face and how they cope and it’s a good time to celebrate.” …