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香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 was headhunted by the organizer of the Cardiff International Animation Festival to assist with an animation festival in Portland,香蕉视频直播� Denman said.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a wonderful experience. I worked with Irene Kotlarz, who is the personification of integrity in art.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播攁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香蕉视频直播檚 proud to be working with some of the business and animation community香蕉视频直播檚 most respected leaders.

香蕉视频直播淲e have a great board of directors,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淥ur chair and artistic director, Danny Antonucci, is best known for creating Cartoon Network香蕉视频直播檚 Ed, Edd n Eddy. There香蕉视频直播檚 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.香蕉视频直播�

Denman香蕉视频直播檚 love of animation and art has spurred her to act as a mentor for Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 up-and-coming young artists, and she香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檚 eager to entice artists to embrace the Okanagan lifestyle.

The end goal? Encouraging more arts students to become working artists. 香蕉视频直播淐reatives are the archivists of our society. That香蕉视频直播檚 why I want to bring the working artist香蕉视频直播檚 perspective to arts education. (It takes a network of people) to support these artists and their big visions.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 important that we break down boundaries and connect as people. That香蕉视频直播檚 why my next non-profit will work on helping people who are trying to get off the streets香蕉视频直播攁nd it香蕉视频直播檒l do that through art.香蕉视频直播�

For Denman, it香蕉视频直播檚 all about the power of creativity to transform others香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淲e all have that sense of wanting to create something and appreciate the aesthetic. It香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檛 just follow. It makes you question. That香蕉视频直播檚 what I want to be a part of.香蕉视频直播�

Denman acknowledges that a career in art isn香蕉视频直播檛 an easy one 香蕉视频直播� it takes several years of hard work to earn a living as an artist 香蕉视频直播� but she says that working artists are ideally positioned to re-shape the world.

香蕉视频直播淚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香蕉视频直播檚 what I hope to promote and support for all artists.香蕉视频直播�

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. 香蕉视频直播淎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, 香蕉视频直播業t香蕉视频直播檚 what we香蕉视频直播檙e here to do.香蕉视频直播� What香蕉视频直播檚 more important?香蕉视频直播�

Crowe MacKay香蕉视频直播檚 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.