Our explorASIAN 2016 Recognition Gala was extremely successful! Approximately three hundred guests gathered to enjoy delicious Japanese food, watch Pan-Asian performances, win prizes at our Silent Auction and Raffle, connect with friends, and celebrate the Japanese-Canadian community!
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of our hard-working Directors, Advisors, staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters for making this event a huge success.
Photo credit in the below compilation photographs goes to Allan Cho, Esmie Gayo McLaren, Esaine Mo Verney, and Eleanor Munk.
Musicians set up at the Gala
President Ken McAteer welcomes guests
Delicious Japanese cuisine from Fujiya!
Honouring Tosh Kitagawa
Honouring Mary Kitagawa
Head of the Recognition Gala Committee Candie Tanaka working hard at the beer and wine cash bar!
Honouring Grace Eiko Thomson
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Full house at explorASIAN Recognition Gala!
Guests check out the Silent Auction
Beautiful artwork and calligraphy at the explorASIAN Silent Auction
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Beautiful artwork at the explorASIAN Recognition Gala 2016
Donor and Advisor Bob Sung checks out some gorgeous publications at the Silent Auction
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Treasurer John Leung at the reception table
Thanks to our many donors, volunteers, and supporters!
Head of Silent Auction Committee Esaine Mo Verney
Volunteer Coordinator Allan Cho on sushi duty. Thanks to Allan and our many volunteers at the Gala for all of their hard work!
Advisor Bob Sung with Directors Esaine Mo Verney and Candie Tanaka
Wonderful prizes at the Raffle!
Honouring Lorene Oikawa and the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association
Delicious food from Fujiya
Full house at our Recognition Gala!
Guests dig in to fabulous food from Fujiya
Treasurer John Leung and Coordinator Eleanor Munk at the reception table for Recognition Gala 2016
Jim Wong-Chu, Esaine Mo Verney, and Faye Leung
Directors, Advisors, and Supporters!
Silent Auction Items and wonderful guests!
Silent Auction Items and wonderful guests!
Community Builder Awardees Tosh & Mary Kitagawa
Hokusai Framed Poster at Silent Auction
Coordinator Eleanor Munk and Director Patricia Lim at Beer & Wine tickets table
Advisor Winnie Cheung’s table at Recognition Gala
Partner Janine Jurji of the Vancouver Courier with Advisor Esmie Gayo McLaren and Monique (MiMOKO Ceramics)
Silent Auction Chair Esaine hard at work with volunteers at the Silent Auction
Beautiful Silent Auction items
Thanks to Fujiya for your delicious Japanese cuisine!
President Ken McAteer with Partner Janine Jurji of the Vancouver Courier, Honouree Grace Eiko Thomson, and Susanne Tabata
Treasurer John and Coordinator Eleanor at work at the Recognition Gala Reception Table
Silent Auction team Esaine, Eleanor, and Marlene
Camus Cognac, Barley Wine, and Beer at Silent Auction courtesy of @Granville Island Breweries and Kelly Ip!
Honouring the Japanese-Canadian community
Directors Esaine Mo Verney and Bev Nann with Advisor Raminder Dosanjh and Ujjal Dosanjh
Honouring the Japanese-Canadian community
Director Ariadne Sawyer helping out with food and kitchen duty at the Recognition Gala
Fujiya Japanse food was a hit!
Beautiful prints and plants at Silent Auction
Silent Auction workers Marlene and Esaine
Thanks to our many friends and supporters!
Vice President Beverly Nann checks out the Japanese food
Emcee Craig Takeuchi at the Recognition Gala with Advisor Esmie McLaren
Beautiful Keith McKellar print at the Silent Auction, donated by Jim Wong-Chu
Awesome Taiko drummers
Beautiful Figure 1 Publications and books launched during explorASIAN 2016
Full house and Silent Auction at the Recognition Gala 2016!
Delicious Fujiya food!
The VAHMS team behind the Recognition Gala celebrates a successful Gala! Thanks so much to all of you for all your hard work!