Well before she became executive director of the Okanagan International Festival of Animation, Anne Denman was learning about the arts from her father, a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musician. Growing up in an artistic household gave Denman the opportunity to explore a variety of art forms, but it鈥檚 film that would ultimately grip her heart.

After working in live action film for several years, Denman entered the animation field at the age of 26. Her work with International Rocketship and the Vancouver Film School would propel her to the international stage and open the door to film festival planning, which she gladly embraced.

鈥淚 was headhunted by the organizer of the Cardiff International Animation Festival to assist with an animation festival in Portland,鈥� Denman said.

鈥淚t was a wonderful experience. I worked with Irene Kotlarz, who is the personification of integrity in art.鈥�

Decades later, Denman would take on a variety of roles in human resources and recruitment for media and entertainment companies before becoming the managing director of Bardel Entertainment鈥攁ll experiences that would prepare her for her current project, the inaugural Okanagan International Festival of Animation.

While Denman is tight-lipped about the festival itself, she鈥檚 proud to be working with some of the business and animation community鈥檚 most respected leaders.

鈥淲e have a great board of directors,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur chair and artistic director, Danny Antonucci, is best known for creating Cartoon Network鈥檚 Ed, Edd n Eddy. There鈥檚 Corrie Griffiths, who is a powerhouse in this community. We also have Ashley Ramsay from Yeti Farm, who is a force to be reckoned with, plus some big international players like Rachelle Lewis. She did recruitment for Rugrats and The Simpsons.鈥�

Denman鈥檚 love of animation and art has spurred her to act as a mentor for 琉璃神社鈥檚 up-and-coming young artists, and she鈥檚 happy to be part of the support network that helps artists to succeed. After two years of Okanagan road trips, Denman has seen what the Okanagan Valley has to offer young artists, and she鈥檚 eager to entice artists to embrace the Okanagan lifestyle.

The end goal? Encouraging more arts students to become working artists. 鈥淐reatives are the archivists of our society. That鈥檚 why I want to bring the working artist鈥檚 perspective to arts education. (It takes a network of people) to support these artists and their big visions.鈥�

In service of that mission, Denman serves on arts advisory boards for Sheridan College, Okanagan College, and the UBC Okanagan Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.

But supporting students in pursuing the arts is just the start for Denman, who is on a mission to unleash the transformative and healing power of art in the Okanagan.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that we break down boundaries and connect as people. That鈥檚 why my next non-profit will work on helping people who are trying to get off the streets鈥攁nd it鈥檒l do that through art.鈥�

For Denman, it鈥檚 all about the power of creativity to transform others鈥� perspectives and connect on a deeper level.

She says that life is about passion, about satisfying the innate human drive to create, and about connecting with others.

鈥淲e all have that sense of wanting to create something and appreciate the aesthetic. It鈥檚 why we work. As Carl Jung said, art is a nonverbal language. We all want to connect in some way. Art and culture makes you a critical thinker, so you don鈥檛 just follow. It makes you question. That鈥檚 what I want to be a part of.鈥�

Denman acknowledges that a career in art isn鈥檛 an easy one 鈥� it takes several years of hard work to earn a living as an artist 鈥� but she says that working artists are ideally positioned to re-shape the world.

鈥淚f money is your priority, well, there are much easier ways to make money. Art is all about passion. I went with the career that made me feel in my element and helped me make a difference. That鈥檚 what I hope to promote and support for all artists.鈥�

Denman notes that the animation industry is facing a talent shortage, and that the industry needs more passionate and creative people to continue doing great work. 鈥淎rt and animation is the golden gig. Every Thursday afternoon, I keep my schedule open so artists can come in and ask questions, and I just listen and give them what I can. People ask me why I do this. And I say, 鈥業t鈥檚 what we鈥檙e here to do.鈥� What鈥檚 more important?鈥�

Crowe MacKay鈥檚 Women to Watch program is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community, concluding October 15. After terrific response, the nomination period for 2016 is now closed. Watch this space each week to see our remaining Women to Watch.