And the award goes to… Kelsey Gilker, BFA.

The TRU alumna was named Kamloops’ Emerging Artist for 2016 during the Mayor’s Gala for the Arts dinner and awards on Jan. 30.

Gilker is a graduate of the theatre program and has performed in Western Canada Theatre productions over the past couple of years.

Three people in total, all graduates of TRU, were in the running for the award. Andrew Cooper and Erik Prytula were the other nominees.

Prytula is a Haida painter and carver and completed a Bachelor of Science (Biology). Cooper is owner and operator of the local theatre company Chimera Theatre and is also a graduate of the theatre program.