The six recipients of the 31st annual Arts Recognition Awards have been revealed.
The Quinte Arts Council 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. The special event also serves as the QAC’s annual fundraiser, helping to sustain and grow programs that support the arts in our region.
The award recipients will be honoured at a luncheon on Thursday, Sep 25 at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Belleville, with live music by Tony Silvestri.
The award recipients are:
Luise Cisneros, 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 Luise primarily works in sculpture and painting, ze also engages with film, weaving together elements of Mexican and Canadian culture to highlight hir identity. Recetly, Luise relocated from Belleville to Chicago to pursue studies there. Last summer, Luise returned to the QAC with a powerful and heartfelt installation honouring members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who have passed away. Through hir values and unwavering commitment to freedom of expression, Luise Cisneros sets a remarkable example for us all.
Emebet Belete, a Belleville-based mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited internationally and whose practice blends creativity with deep community engagement. Borna nd 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. 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.
Phil Bowerman, 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 continued to numerous committees, including the Play Selection Committee, and the in the 1990s served as president for three years, all while still volunteering for front-of-house duties. His photography skills also become 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.
Lola Reid Allin, a photographer, author, mentor, and lifelong learner, has traveled the globe capturing moments in time, chronicling her experiences, and sharing them with her community. 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 deepend our community’s apprecation for culture and art. She is an inspiration in our community and a passionate champion of the arts.
Kristina McIntosh, a long-time resident of Belleville, a dance instructor at the Quinte Ballet School and a caring individual dedicated to enahncing 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 accesible 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. Kristina is now pursuing a degree at Loyalist College in the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Assistants program to deepen her understanding of the human body in motion.
Jennifer E. Brant, a talented Kanyen’keha’ka (Mohawk) musician, artist, photographer, educator, and cultural advocate from Kenhte:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Deeply rooted in her Indigenous identity, she shares her traditions and culture through teaching, music, and community work. A recent gradaute of the Tsi Tyonnheht Onkwawen: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 Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary. As a singer-songwriter, she 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.
Celebrate these winners and the Quinte arts community at the 31st Annual Arts Recognition Awards on Thursday, Sep 25, from 11am to 2pm at Dinkel’s Restaurant in Downtown Belleville.
Tickets will be on sale soon.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
