Back to SearchThere’s just too much talent and creativity in the City to not take pause and recognize.
While it may be a little later in the year than anticipated due to the impact of COVID-19, the St. Catharines Arts Awards will return this month, in an online format, hitting the virtual airwaves on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., capping off a month of Culture Days celebrations in the city.
Aimed at celebrating excellence in all areas of artistic creation, the awards seek not only to recognize artistic talent, but to promote the city’s vibrant and growing arts scene. Awards recognize creators and those that support them through their leadership, financial assistance and volunteer efforts.
“Culture has exploded in our city, it’s such a diverse community and it shows, everywhere you look artists and their supporters are stepping up to make our community a dynamic, vibrant and inclusive space to live,” said acting supervisor of Cultural Services Kathleen Powell, adding, “it’s important we recognize all these efforts, not only to thank the artists themselves, but to promote and expand the cultural landscape of our city.”
Awards include:
- Arts in Education recognizing commitment to arts education, sponsored by the St. Catharines Downtown Association;
- Emerging Artist acknowledging new artist, their accomplishments and potential, sponsored by Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery;
- Established Artist presented to an artist who has spent a decade or more creating in the city, sponsored by the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts;
- Making a Difference recognizing leadership and innovation in the growth and development of arts and culture, sponsored by the Pen Centre;
- and Jury’s Pick.
Although the event will take place via livestream, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) will still play host, streaming the awards via its YouTube channel and Facebook. Viewers can expect some top-shelf entertainment with Making a Difference Award nominee Juliet Dunn performing from the PAC’s Partridge Hall Stage with Peter Shea.
Jessica Wilson, who picked up the 2018 Emerging Artist Award, will play special guest host to the online edition of the awards.
“I was beyond honoured to receive the 2018 award, and I’m excited to step up to host, it is flattering to be recognized with the role given how talented and diverse culture is in the city,” said Wilson, adding, “for artists recognition like this can be so important, it’s nice to know our work is not only being received, but that it is being recognized.”
For more details on the awards, including this year’s nominees, visit stcatharines.ca/ArtsAwards.
Event sponsors include the PAC, Flashbox Photography, The Sound STC, YourTV and Alectra.
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