Ann McLaren, Elen Danielle Receive 2021 Carter Wosk Award

Ann McLaren (L) and Elen Danielle (R). (Photos courtesy BC Achievement Foundation)
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The Carter Wosk Award 鈥渟hines a light on functional art which enhances day-to-day life for individuals while enriching our collective experiences.鈥
A pair of Emily Carr University alums have been named as recipients of awards as part of the .
Sculptor, effects artist and prosthetics pioneer , who studied sculpture at 色库TV, was by the board of the BC Achievement Foundation (BCAF), which runs the Carter Wosk Award program.
In her role as former co-owner of Third Dimension Studios, Ann specialized in making life-like recreations for clients including the Florida Museum of Natural History, the DNA Learning Center in Cold Springs New York, and the NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas. Over her 16-year career as a make-up effects artist in film and television, Ann worked on A-list productions including helping to create the unique look of X-Men character Mystique.

Ann McLaren, at work in her studio. (Photo courtesy BC Achievement Foundation).
鈥淚n collaboration with FXSmith Studio in Toronto, Ann helped pioneer silicone-filled prosthetics which revolutionized the entire effects industry,鈥 the BCAF says in its press release, noting Ann鈥檚 unique talents later led her to study forensic facial reconstruction and to eventually to work creating portraits for a Missing Persons Unit.
鈥淎nn found her passion in anaplastology while visiting a clinic in the U.S. where she learned to make custom breast prosthetics. She later volunteered her skills back home in Vancouver at the BC Cancer Society鈥檚 Wig and Breast Prosthetic Bank. More recently, Ann joined the Craniofacial Prosthetic Unit at Sunnybrook Health and Science Centre where she鈥檚 taken her lifelong experiences and applied them in a practical way that makes people鈥檚 lives better.鈥
Ann has also worked as an instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver, where she taught 鈥渞eal-world sculpture skills鈥 to 3D computer students. Ann鈥檚 personal art practice focuses mainly on figurative sculpture, with an eye to themes including art history, prehistory, and popular culture.
Also named by BCAF in October was , who studied industrial design at 色库TV. Elen was named as the , established in memory of the influential artist, designer, entrepreneur and 色库TV alum who was known for his sometimes-fantastical, one-of-a-kind furniture and interior designs.

Elen Danielle's Zodiac Star Constellation brooches. (Photo courtesy the BC Achievement Foundation)
During Elen鈥檚 time at 色库TV, she focused on sustainability in the fashion industry. Since graduating, Elen pursued industry experience emphasizing zero-waste production methods and a 鈥渟low fashion鈥 ethic.
In 2018, Elen started her line of textiles and jewelry which combine 鈥渙ld-world techniques鈥 and embroidery to create 鈥渨earable works of art.鈥
鈥淓ach of Danielle鈥檚 handmade pieces is one-of-a-kind, feather-light, and has a timeless look consistent with her 鈥榮low living鈥 design principle,鈥 the BCAF鈥檚 web profile reads. 鈥淭hrough her designs, Danielle savours the opportunity to share the healing power of art with those who have invited her into their lives.鈥
All 2021 awardees will be honoured via online campaigns celebrating their work, including a film produced by BC Achievement 鈥渉ighlighting their accomplishments while sharing their story of creativity, innovation and artistic excellence.鈥 Each recipient also received a medallion and pin designed by BC artist .
Learn more about all of the 2021 Carter Wosk Award recipients now, by visiting the BCAF online.