Ruth Schiller has been a tireless advocate for the arts and artists in British Columbia.

Mrs. Schiller and her late husband broke the ground and developed on of the first apple orchards in the desert country of Osoyoos. Her sense of responsibility extended to her fellow orchardists, for she was instrumental in extending the irrigation system in the arid South Okanagan.

In addition to raising a family and managing a fruit stand business for 20 years, she became a leader in the cultural, educational and economic development of her community.

Focusing much of her attention on being an advocate for the artistic and cultural communities, she became a founding member of her local Oliver/Osoyoos Arts Council. Expanding her horizons, there followed membership in the British Columbia Arts Board, the Canadian Conference of the Arts, and the Canada Council.

Outside the arts, Ruth Schiller has been involved in a very long list of community organizations including the Osoyoos Desert Society, Okanagan University College and the Economic Development Corporation of Osoyoos.

Our recipient has been one of the main motivating forces for the arts in British Columbia, a community leader with seemingly limitless energy who is respected for her work on a provincial and national level.