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The City of St. Catharines 2024 Arts Awards recipients were celebrated last night at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC).
This year, there were 42 nominees in five categories: Emerging Artist, Established Artist, Making a Difference, Arts in Education, and Patron of the Arts. One special nominee was also recognized with the Jury’s Pick Award.
“The artistic talent in this city continues to impress me and creates a huge sense of pride in our local artistic scene,” Mayor Mat Siscoe said. “Their efforts continue to grow our cultural sector and have made St. Catharines the vibrant centre of culture in the Niagara region.”
Phil Davis (Cayuga / Mohawk), knowledge holder and long-standing community member, opened the 2024 Arts Awards ceremony with a welcome song.
Amber Lee Williams was presented the 2024 Emerging Artist Award. Williams is a visual artist who has taught many classes and workshops in photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, and paper making in the Niagara Region at Niagara Artist Centre, Brock University, Niagara College, Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, RiverBrink Art Museum, Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, and Grimsby Public Art Gallery, among other locations.
The 2024 Established Artist Award was presented to Cole Lewis. Lewis directs, writes plays and designs moving image works. Twice nominated for Dora Awards, Lewis’s practice uses humour, design, and technology to explore notions of violence, expose questions of bias, and unsettle standard conceptions of truth.
Deanna Jones is the 2024 Making a Difference Award recipient. Jones is an artist, actor, writer, director, and producer, and co-founder of Suitcase in Point Multi-Arts Company, where she was the company’s artistic director from 2007-2024. She has toured to festivals nationally and internationally in her more than 20-year experience as a professional artist.
The 2024 Arts in Education Award was presented to Brenna McAllister. McAllister has more than two decades’ experience teaching drama. She focuses on developing new plays with her students, exploring issues of importance to them. Past themes have included bullying, homelessness, mental health, autism, grief / healing, environmental activism, girl power, overcoming trauma / adversity, identity / acceptance, and magic.
The 2024 Jury’s Pick Award was presented to Christina Hartmann. Hartmann was nominated in two categories: Making a Difference and Arts in Education. Hartmann is founder of A Third Space Pottery Studio, which tripled its studio space in recent years. Membership continues to grow, with some members using the studio to start their own small pottery business. A Third Space has become a welcoming place for people from all over Niagara Region to come because they love spending time there.
Annette Urlocker was named the recipient of the 2024 Patron of the Arts Award, which recognizes an individual or business that has made a meaningful contribution to the arts in St. Catharines through innovation, transformative, and entrepreneurial partnerships, or philanthropic investments.
Urlocker was an early contributor to the funding of the then-new FOPAC, and was one of its first volunteers, roles she continues. Urlocker will be directing her $500 award towards a fund at FOPAC that would allow youth to attend shows at low or no cost. She has also lent her support to the murals at Lock 7 on the Welland Ship Canal and the healing garden at Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital. Additionally, Urlocker has supported the arts through bursaries at Brock University and donations to the Niagara Community Foundation.
“St. Catharines is enriched by artists, educators, and supporters whose dedication and creative expression build a vibrant cultural landscape that connects and uplifts the whole community,” Culture Supervisor Jessica Wilson said. “This year’s Arts Awards recipients exemplify the profound impact the arts have on St. Catharines.”
FOPAC is the City’s presenting sponsor and home of the annual St. Catharines Arts Awards.
Since 2005, the St. Catharines Arts Awards has recognized the achievements of and contributions to the local arts community. More than 80 awards have been presented to artists, businesses, individuals, and organizations who have demonstrated excellence in artistic creation and contribution to the arts in St. Catharines.
Photo credit: Geet Cahil / Geet Collective
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