The 31st annual Arts Recognition Award Recipients are announced

The Quinte Arts Council (QAC) is proud to honour the individuals, groups, and organizations whose passion and dedication have enriched our community. Now in its 31st year, the annual Arts Recognition Awards celebrate artistic excellence, community involvement, activism, and cultural leadership. This special event also serves as the QAC’s annual fundraiser, helping to sustain and grow programs that support the arts in our region.

Join us as we celebrate this year’s champions of the arts! The award recipients will be honoured at a luncheon on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Belleville, with live music by Tony Silvestri. Tickets will be available soon—don’t miss this inspiring celebration of creativity and community!

“A dancer, a thespian, a visionary artist, a brilliant songwriter, a world-travelling photographer, and a master of community projects walk into Dinkel’s Restaurant—not for a performance, but to be celebrated for their remarkable contributions. This year’s honourees have made a profound impact on arts and culture in our community,” says Janet Jarrell, QAC Executive Director. “This annual recognition is about more than any one individual or organization—it’s a celebration of the Quinte community itself, uplifted by these extraordinary people who are trailblazing a path toward an even more vibrant future.”

The Quinte Arts Council is pleased to announce six recipients of this year’s Arts Recognition Awards.

Luisé Cisneros is a non-binary Mexican/Canadian artist, born in Mexico City. Straddling two cultures, ze explores themes of land, race, immigration, identity, family dynamics, and queerness. Hir diasporic experiences are reflected in work that blends figurative symbolism and self-portraiture to create narratives of multiculturalism. While Luisé primarily works in sculpture and painting, ze also engages with film, weaving together elements of Mexican and Canadian culture to highlight hir identity. Recently, Luisé relocated from Belleville to Chicago to pursue studies there.

In 2022, Luisé presented an installation at the QAC gallery and cultural hub titled ¿Cuándo se Acaba? / When is it Over? Part II. Inspired by papel picado—a decorative Mexican art form in which intricate designs are cut into tissue paper—the piece symbolized “the fragility of a life and the fragility of the LGBTQ+ community.” Crafted entirely from red tissue paper (representing blood and life), the work incorporated violent imagery and slurs in multiple languages. By displaying these words, Cisneros posed the question: “I’m questioning what harms more: the physical acts or the words?”

Last summer, Luisé returned to the QAC with a powerful and heartfelt installation honouring members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who have passed away. The work took the form of a traditional ofrenda—a Mexican altar celebrating the lives of those no longer with us. More than an art exhibit, it was a space of collective memory, a celebration of lives, and a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. It invited visitors to reflect, remember, and pay their respects.

Through hir values and unwavering commitment to freedom of expression, Luisé Cisneros sets a remarkable example for us all.

Emebet Belete is a Belleville-based mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited internationally and whose practice blends creativity with deep community engagement. Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she was one of only four women admitted to the Addis Ababa School of Fine Arts in 1985, chosen from over 500 applicants. After graduating, she gained recognition as an emerging Ethiopian artist in Revue Noire (Paris) and co-founded the Friendship of Women Artists (FOWA), editing and publishing the first catalogue of women artists’ work in Ethiopia.

Since emigrating to Canada in 1997, Emebet has earned degrees in Fine Arts and Education from Queen’s University, taught internationally—including in Tianjin, China—and received an Ontario Arts Council Artists in Education grant.

Her current project, Bridging Communities, transforms Belleville’s Upper Front Street Bridge into a vibrant, crochet-covered public artwork. Supported by the City of Belleville and the Ontario Arts Council, the project engages people of all ages through workshops and crochet circles across the Quinte region.

Emebet’s art reflects her belief in the power of creativity to connect people, foster cultural exchange, and transform shared spaces. Whether in the studio or the community, she continues to inspire with her artistry, teaching, and vision.

Phil Bowerman is a celebrated actor, director, producer, set designer, play polisher, and mentor who has gone above and beyond for the theatre community for more than 50 years.

Phil’s journey with the Belleville Theatre Guild at the Pinnacle Playhouse began as a teenager, when he started volunteering. Over time, his involvement deepened—taking on acting roles, directing productions, producing shows, and serving on the Theatre Guild’s board. He contributed to numerous committees, including the Play Selection Committee, and in the 1990s served as president for three years, all while still volunteering for front-of-house duties.

His photography skills also became an asset to the Guild, as he began taking headshots of cast and crew. This work evolved into preserving a physical historical record of photographs, scripts, and programmes, ultimately leading to his role as the Guild’s archivist.

Phil’s connection to the theatre, the Pinnacle Playhouse, and its legacy runs deep. He continues to produce plays, volunteer his time, and champion the dramatic arts in Belleville. As a mentor, he has welcomed and nurtured countless new members—both young and old—sharing his knowledge, advice, and passion for the craft.

Phil’s enduring commitment to the Belleville Theatre Guild and the Pinnacle Playhouse is unmatched, and his contributions remain an essential part of their history.

Lola Reid Allin is an adventurer! As a photographer, author, mentor and lifelong learner, Lola Reid Allin has traveled the globe capturing moments in time, chronicling her experiences, and sharing them with her community.

Supporting arts and culture is part of Lola’s very DNA. An active member and donor to both the Quinte Arts Council and Belleville Art Association, she has proven to be an invaluable patron and contributor to the local arts scene. Through her exhibitions and engaging “Armchair Traveler” presentations at the Belleville Public Library, Lola has broadened our understanding of the world. Her work has been featured in numerous publications in Quinte and beyond, and her first book, Highway to the Sky: An Aviator’s Journey, is a true inspiration.

A warm storyteller and keen observer of humanity, Lola has deepened our community’s appreciation for culture and art. She has earned numerous awards for her artistry, and her experiences as one of the first female airline transport pilots—beautifully shared in her book—stand as a testament to what can be achieved through determination and heart.

Lola Reid Allin is an inspiration in our community and a passionate champion of the arts.

Kristina McIntosh is a long-time resident of Belleville, a dance instructor at the Quinte Ballet School and a caring individual dedicated to enhancing the well-being of her community. Since 2018, she has led and expanded the highly successful Dancing with Parkinson’s program at the school.

Kristina’s commitment to the dancers and caregivers who attend these classes is truly inspiring. She has created a safe, welcoming space where people can move their bodies with joy, regardless of their range of movement. Her thoughtful choreography is designed to be accessible and uplifting, fostering a strong sense of community in which participants support and encourage one another. Many have found comfort, confidence, and connection through her work, realizing they are not alone in their diagnosis.

Under Kristina’s leadership, the program’s enrollment has grown significantly each year, and she has introduced exciting new opportunities for participants. In addition to teaching at QBSC, she is pursuing a degree at Loyalist College in the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Assistants program to deepen her understanding of the human body in motion.

These free weekly creative movement and dance classes not only help seniors manage their symptoms—they have become a vital social lifeline for many who might otherwise feel isolated. Kristina’s dedication to the comfort, health, and happiness of her dancers continues to change lives for the better.

Jennifer E. Brant is a talented Kanyen’keha’ka (Mohawk) musician, artist, photographer, educator, and cultural advocate from Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Deeply rooted in her Indigenous identity, she shares her traditions and culture through teaching, music, and community work.

A recent graduate of the Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Mohawk Language Centre, Jennifer is dedicated to revitalizing the Mohawk language and strengthening cultural knowledge. She is a highly respected member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and serves as Chair and Co-Founder of the Kenhtè:ke Seed Sanctuary.

As a singer-songwriter, Jennifer has produced three albums blending Mohawk and English, with themes of cultural resilience, hope, and identity. Her community work includes live performances, radio interviews, speaking engagements, and collaborations with other musicians and artists, with a special focus on engaging youth in creative and cultural activities.

Through her art, language work, and outreach, Jennifer builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, fostering reconciliation and understanding. She is an inspiring leader whose work embodies cultural preservation, community connection, and the healing power of the arts.

Celebrate these winners and the Quinte arts community at the 31st Annual Arts Recognition Awards Thursday, September 25th, 2025 from 11am-2pm at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Downtown Belleville.