2023 Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage Awards

Following the success of past awards nights, the Orillia & District Arts Council (ODAC) and Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) are planning the historic fifth annual Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards (ORAH). On November 22, 2023, Orillia and area will come together to celebrate the best and brightest from the sector, at Creative Nomad Studios.

The awards were established to recognize the valuable contribution that educators, historians, and event organizers and supporters make to the vibrancy of our communities. 

Everyone is invited, no tickets or admission fees. The awards are proudly sponsored by eCapital. 

Come join and celebrate this vibrant sector in our region!

Members of the organizing committee have been working behind the scenes on the logistics and are excited to announce this year’s 2023 award categories: 

• Education in Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Emerging Artist
• Heritage: Restoration, Renovation and Publication
• Event in Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Qennefer Browne Achievement Award

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.

This year’s nominees are: Stephen Davids for Just Write Orillia; Errol Lee for Caring Kids Concerts; Sukhi Kaur for HeARTS; Marcel Rousseau for his body of work; Lindsey Simard Toutant for Heartworks; and David Town for his body of work.

Winner: Marcel Rousseau for his body of work

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.

This year’s nominees are: Bella Arwyn, and Mariangela Sherwood.

Winner: Mariangela Sherwood

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.

This year’s nominees are: Anitta Hamming for Creative Nomad Studios; Amy Henderson for OMAH Jail Cells; Jim Ostler Contracting for The Historic Fire Hall; and Cathy Walton for her body of work.

Winner: Anitta Hamming for Creative Nomad Studios

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.

This year’s nominees are: Mariposa Arts Theatre for Rocky Horror Picture Show; and Orillia District Arts Council for the Seven Grandfather Teachings project.

Winner: Orillia District Arts Council for the Seven Grandfather Teachings project

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. This year’s nominees are: Couchiching Brewery; Leslie Fournier and Streets Alive Productions; Fred Larsen; Jean Sarjeant; and John Swartz.

Winner (heritage): Jean Sarjeant

Winner (arts): Streets Alive Productions

Title Sponsor

Presented by

Together, OMAH and ODAC serve the communities of Rama, Ramara, Oro-Medonte, Severn, and the City of Orillia. We are committed to recognizing the valuable contribution artists, historians, educators, event organizers and supporters make to the vibrancy of these communities and their citizens.