Arts and Culture Awards Logo

The Town of Orangeville announced the winners of the 2021 Arts & Culture Awards on Thursday, October 7. The virtual presentation celebrated the local arts and culture sector and paid tribute to the outstanding contributions made by individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the region.

Winners were announced in eight award categories, with judging completed by an experienced independent panel from outside Dufferin County.

The recipients of the 2021 awards are:

  • Established Artist of the Year: Emilia Perri
  • Emerging Artist of the Year: Arlo Sun
  • Student Artist of the Year: Katrina Creelman
  • Arts Educator of the Year Award: Tiffany McCabe
  • Community Arts Volunteer Award: Jim Waddington
  • Community Impact by an Organization Award: Orangeville Business Improvement Area
  • Community Impact by a Business Award: Old Mill Hub
  • Creative Cultural Event Award: Celebrate Your Awesome

Descriptions of the contributions and accomplishments of each winner can be found at https://www.orangeville.ca/en/things-to-do/2021-arts-and-culture-awards.aspx

For a second year, the awards ceremony was adapted to offer a pre-recorded online experience for the audience to safely enjoy. The presentation showcased past award winners who announced the nominees from a variety of creative spaces in Orangeville. Featured locations included Dragonfly Arts on Broadway, Pottery Parties Studio, Westside Secondary School, Kay Cee Gardens, the Artsploration Mobile Studio, an artist’s home studio, the Orangeville Public Library’s Mill Street location, and the Town of Orangeville’s Town Hall and Opera House. The presentation reinforced that continuing to celebrate arts and culture, despite the challenges of the past months, is an important and valuable initiative for the community.

Wayne Townsend, a 2020 award winner and recognized community volunteer, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event. He welcomed viewers while celebrating the accomplishments of the 32 award nominees. “Despite the many challenges of the past year, each nominee has persevered and found ways to continue to share their talents,” Mr. Townsend said. “In addition to being creative, they’ve also had to innovate and adapt. The results are inspiring!”

Councillor Lisa Post, Chair of the Cultural Plan Task Force, and Mayor Sandy Brown also participated in the presentation to congratulate all nominees and recognize their impact on the community.

“These incredible nominees have kept arts and culture alive and relevant through some of the most trying times we have ever seen,” said Councillor Post. “Congratulations to all nominees and thank you for offering your time and talent to creating such a vibrant creative sector in our region.”

The online presentation is available to view at any time via the Town of Orangeville’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/OrangevilleCouncil/) or on the Facebook page of the Town’s Economic Development & Culture office (https://www.facebook.com/OrangevilleED).

Winners will be presented with their awards at socially distanced, individual meetings next week. A special thank you to Joan Hope, owner of Dragonfly Arts on Broadway, for sourcing this year’s awards and to artist Kathryn Thomson for creating the unique pieces.

The Art of Storytelling, a local videography company, managed the recording and editing of the awards presentation. Filming was completed following all COVID-19 protocols.

Nominations for the Arts & Culture Awards open every spring for individuals, businesses, and organizations in Dufferin County. Watch for the nomination announcement at orangeville.ca

The recipients of the 2021 awards
Emilia Perri Arlo Sun Katrina Creelman
Emilia Perri 
Established Artist of the Year

 Arlo Sun
Emerging Artist of the Year

 Katrina Creelman 
Student Artist of the Year
 Tiffany McCabe  Jim Waddington  Orangeville Business Improvement Area
Tiffany McCabe
Arts Educator of the Year 
 Jim Waddington
Community Arts Volunteer 
 Orangeville Business Improvement Area
Community Impact by an Organization 
 Old Mill Hub Celebrate Your Awesome Event  blank 
Old Mill Hub
Community Impact by a Business 
Celebrate Your Awesome
Creative Cultural Event Award