The Orillia & District Arts Council (ODAC), Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) and the City of Orillia’s Business Development, Culture and Tourism Department are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2022 Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage Awards.  

The awards were established to recognize the valuable contribution that educators, historians, and event organizers and supporters make to the vibrancy of our communities. On November 23, 2022, at the fourth annual Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage (ORAH) Awards, the sector will come together in person, as well as a livestreamed event, to celebrate its achievements and honour this year’s nominees. 

This year’s winners will be announced and celebrated on November 23 at the Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage Awards Night. The Gala Awards Night will be at the Orillia Opera House. This will be a red-carpet gala, complete with paparazzi, (so put on your fancy clothes) starting at 6 p.m. with appetizers, music and a cash bar in the Green Room. The awards ceremony will start at 7 p.m, upstairs in the Lightfoot Auditorium. 

Everyone is invited, no tickets or admission fees. The awards will also be livestreamed on the OMAH YouTube channel. The awards are proudly sponsored by eCapital. 

Come join and celebrate this vibrant sector in our region!

And the nominees are…

Education in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award recognizes an educator, not necessarily a teacher by profession, whose knowledge and teaching skills inspire others to pursue their interest in the arts and heritage.

Nominees: Jessica Allen, Steph Dunn, Kate Hilliard, Errol Lee, Meg Leslie, Jayne Poolton-Turvey, and Rick Purcell. 

Emerging Artist Award recognizes an individual of any age who is in the early years (under five years) of launching a career in the arts. Nominees can be pursuing any genre of art including, but not limited to, visual arts, performance arts, literary arts and many more.

Nominees: Richie Benson, Jordyn Nancy Greer, Raune-Lea Marshall, and M Nowick-Rigelhof.

Heritage: Restoration, Renovation and Publication Award recognizes an individual or group who brought to life regional history through a physical restoration or creation of a permanent public record.

Nominees: Orillia Heritage Centre; Orillia OPP Museum; Lori Oschefski and her work for British Home Children; and Jim Ostler Contracting for the Old Firehall.

Event in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award recognizes an individual, organization, or corporation for their part in organizing a single or annual event that showcases the region’s creative talent or cultural heritage.

Nominees: Art Trees of Oro-Medonte; and the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Qennefer Browne Achievement Award recognizes an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of their community. It was named in honour of Qennefer Browne, who gave much of herself to support both arts and heritage organizations within the region.

Nominees: Mike Rothwell, and Doreen Uren Simmons.

The 2022 Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage Awards

are proudly presented by

and organized in partnership with

Last Year’s Recipients