The 30th annual Arts Recognition Award Recipients are announced
The Quinte Arts Council (QAC) has always valued the importance of recognizing those who make a difference in our community. To celebrate these individuals, groups, and organizations, the QAC holds the annual Arts Recognition Awards, now in its 30th year. This year’s award recipients are truly deserving of recognition for their dedication to their craft, community involvement, activism, and cultural leadership.
Join the QAC and the community in honouring this year’s recipients at the luncheon to be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Belleville. The event will be emceed by 2023 Arts Recognition Winner Dan Douglas. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
“The recipients of the 30th annual Arts Recognition Awards are truly inspiring members of our community. From activism through art, to a renowned playwright making waves on the national scene, a dedicated theatre volunteer, a historian, a group making theatre accessible to all children and a festival that celebrates the magic of jazz, this year’s honourees are creating a lasting legacy of achievements,” says Janet Jarrell, QAC Executive Director. “These awards not only honour individual achievements but also highlight the vibrant cultural landscape of the Quinte region. By acknowledging these artists, we inspire future generations and reinforce the importance of the arts in enriching our lives and fostering a sense of community.”
With this in mind, the Quinte Arts Council is pleased to announce six recipients of this year’s Arts Recognition Awards.
Judy Bridle is a dedicated volunteer with a passion for theatre. In 2024, she is in her twenty-fourth season with the Belleville Theatre Guild. She was also Stage Manager & volunteered as an assistant to the Lighting Co-designer & Operator, Northumberland Players, Cobourg. In addition to her lengthy dedication to the theatre arts, and despite the hundreds of hours required for planning, rehearsal, and performance of each production, Bridle volunteers with the Quinte Ballet School, Belleville Downtown DocFest, and the Quinte Arts Council Gallery.
In 2004, she became the Belleville Theatre Guild’s Vice President. The following year she became President (2005–08), then Past President & Technical Director (2008–11). Following this, she was a member of the Play Selection Committee (Nov 2013–June 2019).
Marvin Tucker of the Belleville Theatre Guild says about Judy “I can’t imagine a more deserving individual than Judy for this kind of recognition. Her dedication
as a volunteer in entertaining local audiences over a period of decades has been greatly appreciated by the local theatre community.”
Gerry Fraiberg, who has worked with Judy at the Belleville Theatre Guild says “Her positive and welcoming attitude helped me ease into the theatre. Throughout the rehearsal schedule and the run of the play Judy was always supportive of the whole cast and crew.”
Connie Carson is an author and local historian based in Belleville. She is best known for her work “Memories of Belleville,” which is a notable contribution to preserving and documenting the history and cultural heritage of Belleville. Her book captures the essence of the city’s past through a collection of stories, photographs, and personal anecdotes, offering readers a vivid glimpse into the historical and social fabric of the community.
Connie has also helped foster strong community connections with the creation of a Facebook group, Sharing Belleville Memories, a group that now numbers over 15,000. The group helps community members reminisce about the city, and by utilizing the community many photographs have been preserved online, along with the record of who is in and when each photo was taken. This historical preservation effort would not have been possible without Connie first igniting the passion of the community.
Quinte Youth Theatre: The owners of Ontario Dance Academy, Crystal Clark and Annastacia Smith have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in dance education. Their students have gone on to achieve remarkable success, with many being accepted into top-tier post-secondary dance institutions. Together they run The Quinte Youth Theatre which offers a comprehensive musical theatre experience, encompassing singing, dancing, and acting roles, as well as opportunities in stagecraft, set design, visual arts, programming, lighting, and stage management. Crystal and Annastacia donate their time and studio space and are able to offer this program entirely free of charge for participants.
Kathie Quinn says “Four years ago, Crystal and Annastacia founded the Quinte Youth Theatre, a free program designed to make the arts accessible to all young people, regardless of their financial situation. This initiative offers a comprehensive experience in musical theatre, including singing, dancing, acting, and technical roles like stagecraft and set design. Crystal and Annastacia donate their time and studio space, contributing over 300 volunteer hours annually to keep the program running without charge.”
Peter Paylor has many roles but recently his prowess as a playwright has been receiving national recognition. A playwright, sculptor and entrepreneur. Peter’s focus is on all things artistic. Peter has helped to support the artistic endeavors of Quinte residents by hosting art exhibits; lectures/talks; a Youth Arts Festival, ‘Gary’s Gigs’ lectures and films; Belleville BluesFest artists; classical and folk musicians as well as Loyalist College and East Side Secondary School student films.
Jocelyn LoSole, who has worked with Peter on shows at Theatre in the Wings says “His unending dedication to the arts community in Belleville is truly inspiring to me and everyone who works with him, and his passion for playwriting and producing new shows constantly inspires new artists to join Theatre in the Wings and be a part of the community.”
Norm Foster, Canada’s most produced playwright says about Peter’s play Christmas in Rosewood “I laughed more at this play than I have ever laughed at any play I’ve read before. And I’m surprised to be saying that because I am a tough audience. I really think you are a talented writer, Peter. This play is a cross between Garrison Keillor and Andy of Mayberry.”
Prince Edward County Jazz Festival is in its 27th year as the premier jazz festival in the Hastings and Prince Edward County region. The jazz festival has grown from a small festival in Picton to a year round incorporated charitable organization. Offering jazz performances throughout the region and providing opportunities for young musicians to learn. They support the PEC Jazz Festival and offer live streaming of performances; and lectures, clinics and other promotional and educational initiatives.
The 2024 festival brought talented musicians into the heart of the County. Two-time Juno award winning musician Molly Johnson said she had a blast playing her sold out show at the Regent Theatre. Audience members thanked her for bringing her skills to the County. The PEC Jazz Festival helps make live music more accessible for those who can’t leave the area to see amazing performances.
Bill Stearman is a Canadian quilt maker and storyteller who discovered his passion for quilting after a serious leg injury in 2013. His journey into quilt making began as a therapeutic activity to cope with pain, but it quickly evolved into a profound form of artistic expression and a method of activism.
Bill calls himself a “Quiltivist” and often donates the proceeds of his quilt sales to various charitable causes. Recently he has been donating proceeds to groups such the Rosehaven Yarn knitting group that makes mitts and scarves for the homeless.
Bill supported Nell Casson with “Craftivism” at the Department of Illumination in Prince Edward County. Leading a workshop where participants designed banners that focused on social issues in the community and discussing the intersection of craft and activism.
Bill created a line of gender-neutral baby quilts titled “It’s Not About Their Bits”. These quilts were free from gender-based stereotypes, designed to wrap babies in love and not societal expectations from birth.
Celebrate these winners and the entire arts community of Quinte at the 30th Annual Arts Recognition Awards Thursday, September 26th, 2024 from 11am-2pm at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Downtown Belleville.
Eventbrite ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/30th-annual-arts-recognition-awards-luncheon-tickets-961510402497