National Society Awards Highest Honours to Canadian Designers

The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) awards Fellowships to outstanding Canadian designers, Peggy Cady of Victoria BC, and Catherine Garden, of Calgary, AB.

(PRWEB) May 27, 2006 -- Award-winning Victoria BC designer, Peggy Cady, immediate past president of the national GDC, and Catherine Garden, of Calgary AB, former GDC Treasurer, were each awarded GDC Fellowship at the GDC Annual General Meeting, in Edmonton, AB.

Fellowship is the highest honour that the national Society can bestow, and is awarded to an individual who by accomplishment and influence has made a major contribution to graphic design in Canada. Only 56 individuals have received this accolade since 1960.

Peggy Cady served the GDC as national president 2004-06, was formerly national vice president and membership chair as well as president of the Vancouver Island Chapter for four years. As national president, she focused on finance, structure and standards to bring the national GDC new strength, vision and greater national visibility. Cady recently laid the groundwork for the new GDC Canadian Design Foundation, to help inspire, support and invigorate graphic design and design education communities in Canada. She is also a 2004 graduate of Leadership Victoria.

Cady has been a strong advocate for design in Canada, and has promoted the value of design for business. In support of the nomination, former Vancouver Island Chapter President Laurie Darrah MGDC, said, "Over the past few years she has delivered what was missing and has done it with compassion, exceptional diplomacy and integrity." David Berman R.G.D., FGDC, GDC Ethics Chair stated, "Peggy Cady is calmly, quietly, relentlessly, poisedly one of the greatest forces behind the GDC....she has seen us through some of the most challenging times that graphic design in Canada has known."

Brenda Sanderson, MGDC, Executive Director of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) said, "Peggy's leadership of the GDC has given us a new voice on the national stage and created a platform for future growth." Paul Nishikawa, MGDC, retiring vice president stated, "Her commitment to helping others and furthering design has been a model to all. I look forward to being a part of the legacy she has left us through her leadership and vision."

Catherine Garden, was president of the Alberta South Chapter of the GDC for 1995-1996, and National Treasurer for GDC from 1995-2000. She has been a cornerstone of the Alberta South Chapter since it was first initiated in 1992. She became an active volunteer and advocate immediately after she joined the organization. Her commitment to the organization is still strong and her experience and expertise are still relied upon by the executive.

In support of her nomination, Steven Rosenburg FGDC, former National President said, “Catherine is highly deserving of this nomination. She contributed significantly to GDC on a National level in terms of good fiscal planning.... She always made sure that money went toward the benefit of members."

For a list of GDC Fellows see http://www.gdc.net/about_gdc/fellows.php

The GDC was founded in 1956, grew to become a national association by 1974 and was granted a Federal Charter in 1976. The GDC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The GDC's 32-year membership in the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) affiliates the GDC with a world-wide organization of graphic designers and provides its members with the opportunity for international recognition and professional development.

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