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Awards shine spotlight on local arts and heritage champions

Fifth annual Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards recognize those who provide 'valuable contribution'

The area’s arts, heritage and history community was recognized Wednesday evening during the fifth annual Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards ceremony.

Organized by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and the Orillia and District Arts Council, the event recognizes people in the community who have made outstanding contributions to local arts and heritage.

Jacqueline Surette, event MC, said the awards shine “a spotlight on the valuable contribution of artists, educators, historians, event organizers, and their supporters that make contributions to our communities.”

“While it may not always get the respect it deserves, it is the sector that (brings) people together, through the laughter and the tears at home, or at the theatre, at street festivals, eateries or parks, through the holidays and special occasions.”

Dozens of people gathered at Creative Nomad Studios as six individuals — across five categories — were given awards.

The Event in Arts, Culture, and Heritage Award recognizes an individual or organization for events that showcase the region’s cultural or creative heritage.

This year’s award went to Paul Shilling for his series on the Seven Grandfather Teachings, where a group of artists interpreted the teachings — bravery, honesty, humility, respect, love, truth, and wisdom — in their chosen artistic mediums.

“You see the world today with so much pain, so much suffering. Reconciliation is in all of us,” Shilling said. “It doesn’t start over here, it doesn’t start over there — it starts with me.”

The Education in the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Award is given to an educator who inspires others to pursue arts and heritage.

This year’s award was given to Marcel Rousseau — who could not make it to the event — for his decades-long effort to improve knowledge of Orillia’s history in the community.

Rousseau serves as the moderator of Orillia Past and Present page on Facebook, sharing history in an accessible and interactive way, and he is also the author of numerous books, such as Postcard Memories and Base Camp 26.

The Heritage Renovation, Restoration, and Publication Award is given to an individual or group who brought regional history to light through either a restoration of a place or creation of a permanent public record.

This year’s winner is Creative Nomad Studios’ Anita Hamming, for her work in restoring the formerly empty venue into a community space.

“I love that we have been able to take a space that was empty … and create something that is so community oriented, and to have a space where business owners and entrepreneurs can come and grow … and, also, creators,” she said. “We are so part of the history and the fabric of Orillia, and also part of the future.”

The Emerging Artist Award is given to an artist who is less than five years into a career in the arts, in numerous mediums or genres, and this year’s winner is Mariangela Sherwood, a visual artist.

“Sharing my talent with the community is my biggest drive. I’m inspired by the world around me,” she said. “I believe that art has the power to bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and community.”

The Qennefer Browne Achievement Award is given in honour of the late Browne’s lifelong support of arts and heritage organizations in the region.

Browne was a devoted historian, designer, mother, and community supporter, said Surette.

This year’s award was given to two individuals for both art and heritage, with Jean Sarjeant winning the award for her work in promoting Orillia’s heritage.

As a past president of the Orillia Museum of Art and History, and a member of the Orillia Historical Society, among other involvements, Sarjeant has had a lifelong interest in promoting local heritage that still continues today.

“I still am a volunteer at the museum, and I’m very proud of some of the various programs that are still running now that we started back in the 2000s,” she said.

For the arts, the Qennefer Browne Achievement Award was given to Leslie Fournier, longtime organizer of Streets Alive, which has brought art to the downtown in a variety of instalments over the years.

“I wanted to say a few words because Streets Alive and the award, I feel, really needs to be shared with the artists,” she said. “Streets Alive is nothing without their contribution and everything that they have given to the Streets Alive program. It’s wonderful to receive this award, and I thank you so much.”


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Greg McGrath-Goudie

About the Author: Greg McGrath-Goudie

Greg has been with Village Media since 2021, where he has worked as an LJI reporter for CollingwoodToday, and now as a city hall/general assignment reporter for OrilliaMatters
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