explorASIAN‘s 2016 Recognition Gala took place on Saturday, June 11th, 2016 at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
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! Grace Eiko Thomson, Tosh and Mary Kitagawa, and the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association were honoured at the Gala for their work as community builders.
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.
Delicious Japanese cuisine from Fujiya!
Emcee Craig Takeuchi at the Recognition Gala with Advisor Esmie McLaren
Delicious Fujiya food!
Full house and Silent Auction at the Recognition Gala 2016!
Musicians set up at the Gala
Beautiful Figure 1 Publications and books launched during explorASIAN 2016
Awesome Taiko drummers
Beautiful Keith McKellar print at the Silent Auction, donated by Jim Wong-Chu
Vice President Beverly Nann checks out the Japanese food
The VAHMS team behind the Recognition Gala celebrates a successful Gala! Thanks so much to all of you for all your hard work!
Thanks to our many friends and supporters!
Silent Auction workers Marlene and Esaine
Beautiful prints and plants at Silent Auction
Fujiya Japanse food was a hit!
Director Ariadne Sawyer helping out with food and kitchen duty at the Recognition Gala
Honouring the Japanese-Canadian community
Directors Esaine Mo Verney and Bev Nann with Advisor Raminder Dosanjh and Ujjal Dosanjh
Honouring the Japanese-Canadian community
Camus Cognac, Barley Wine, and Beer at Silent Auction courtesy of @Granville Island Breweries and Kelly Ip!
Silent Auction team Esaine, Eleanor, and Marlene
Treasurer John and Coordinator Eleanor at work at the Recognition Gala Reception Table
President Ken McAteer with Partner Janine Jurji of the Vancouver Courier, Honouree Grace Eiko Thomson, and Susanne Tabata
Thanks to Fujiya for your delicious Japanese cuisine!
Beautiful Silent Auction items
Silent Auction Chair Esaine hard at work with volunteers at the Silent Auction
Partner Janine Jurji of the Vancouver Courier with Advisor Esmie Gayo McLaren and Monique (MiMOKO Ceramics)
Advisor Winnie Cheung’s table at Recognition Gala
Coordinator Eleanor Munk and Director Patricia Lim at Beer & Wine tickets table
Hokusai Framed Poster at Silent Auction
Community Builder Awardees Tosh & Mary Kitagawa
Silent Auction Items and wonderful guests!
Silent Auction Items and wonderful guests!
Directors, Advisors, and Supporters!
Jim Wong-Chu, Esaine Mo Verney, and Faye Leung
Treasurer John Leung and Coordinator Eleanor Munk at the reception table for Recognition Gala 2016
Guests dig in to fabulous food from Fujiya
Full house at our Recognition Gala!
Delicious food from Fujiya
Honouring Lorene Oikawa and the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association
Wonderful prizes at the Raffle!
Advisor Bob Sung with Directors Esaine Mo Verney and Candie Tanaka
Volunteer Coordinator Allan Cho on sushi duty. Thanks to Allan and our many volunteers at the Gala for all of their hard work!
Head of Silent Auction Committee Esaine Mo Verney
Thanks to our many donors, volunteers, and supporters!
Treasurer John Leung at the reception table
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Donor and Advisor Bob Sung checks out some gorgeous publications at the Silent Auction
Beautiful artwork at the explorASIAN Recognition Gala 2016
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Beautiful artwork and calligraphy at the explorASIAN Silent Auction
Guests check out the Silent Auction
Full house at explorASIAN Recognition Gala!
Thanks to our many donors and supporters!
Honouring Grace Eiko Thomson
President Ken McAteer welcomes guests
Head of the Recognition Gala Committee Candie Tanaka working hard at the beer and wine cash bar!
Honouring Mary Kitagawa
Honouring Tosh Kitagawa
