Muriel Griffiths

Muriel Griffiths is a long-time builder of arts and culture in Greater Trail and British Columbia. She became involved in presenting performing arts in Trail in 1951, starting with the Celebrity Concert Series. Under her leadership, Trail developed one of the longest running and best-attended Community Performance Series in the province.

She was a director for the Southeast Region of BC on the BC Touring Council from 1984 to 1992. During this period, the BC Touring Council greatly expanded cultural opportunities in small towns in the Kootenays and in the rest of BC.

Muriel served on the Trail and District Community Arts Council from 1982 to 1996 in various capacities, including president. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was the creation and upgrading of performing and visual arts spaces in the Greater Trail Community Centre. She raised the funds for and oversaw all other aspects of the project, which saw the birth of the VISAC Gallery, the renovation of the Charles Bailey Theatre, and the creation of a small recital space that today bears her name.

In 1992 Muriel received the Les Carbeau Award from the Governor-General "in recognition of outstanding contributions to Regional Culture." She has also been awarded the Canada 125th Commemorative Medal in recognition of her support of the Arts in BC.

Muriel passed away in 2010.