Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to announce Liz Ellis as the winner of the fourteenth annual Amy Award for Emerging Artists. Liz, who began her work in the arts as a child in Bainbridge Performing Arts’ Theatre School, reminds us that the performing arts extend far beyond the stage. A recent graduate of Hampshire College, Liz is an accomplished writer, video producer, graphic artist, mentor, and educator who consistently inspires both her contemporaries and also the students who look up to her in BPA’s education program, where she has taught for more than seven years. While one may still catch Liz performing on stage or in scenes from her award-winning web series, “Wrecked,” she has developed a depth of understanding and acquired a broad-spectrum investment in the craft that BPA is proud to promote.

BPA Executive Director Dominique Cantwell says, “I am consistently impressed by her creative and work ethic, her vision, and her inclusive approach to performance; these are qualities that make her not only a  leader in her field now, but that will also continue to exponentially propel her success in the future. It’s such an honor to have the opportunity to recognize her with the Amy Award and all that it represents.”

The Amy Award for Emerging Artists is given each year to a Bainbridge Island artist under the age of 35, whose work demonstrates a strong sense of quality, creativity, exploration and dedication. The annual cash award is funded by an endowment established by David and Caren Anderson in honor of their late daughter and administered by the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.]

Previous award winners include Korum Bischoff (2001), Solia Hermes (2002), Jessica Tuffley (2003), Rain Ross (2004), Tracy Lang (2005), Vincent Palazzolo-Packard (2006), Gregory Glynn (2007),  Claire Hosterman (2008), Jonathan Hallet (2009), Wesley Corbett (2010), Annie Huntley (2011), Jherek Bischoff (2012), and Raquel Stanek (2013).