Arts Awards Recipients

Harrison Kennedy

Born and raised in Hamilton, Harrison Kennedy is respected worldwide as a living blues legend. He was a member of the million-selling group, The Chairman of the Board and has released six JUNO-nominated albums as a solo artist, including the JUNO-winning, This is From Here, inspired by his hometown of Hamilton.

www.harrisonkennedy.ca

facebook.com/harrison.kennedy.7

Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

Donna-Michelle St. Bernard aka Belladonna the Blest is an emcee, playwright and agitator. She is emcee in residence at Theatre Passe Muraille, associate artist at lemonTree Creations, artistic director of New Harlem Productions, coordinator of the AD HOC Assembly, and of new play development at Nightwood Theatre and Theatre Aquarius

54ology.wordpress.com

instagram.com/belladonnatheblest

twitter.com/BelladonnaNHP

Emma Smith

Emma Smith is an award-winning artist and educator who aims to celebrate the significance of place, environment, and land, through her life philosophy and artistic practice. Exploring this theme largely through woodfired ceramics, her work is made to be experienced quietly, encouraging moments of contemplation and reflection.

www.emmasmithceramics.com

Jaclyn Desforges

Jaclyn Desforges is an award-winning poet and children’s book author. Her debut poetry collection, Danger Flower, was one of CBC Books’ picks for the best Canadian poetry of 2021. She writes about neurodivergence, queerness, and nature, and aims to make poetry accessible to all through her teaching and community work.

www.nestandstory.com/

instagram.com/jaclyndesforges/

twitter.com/jaclyndesforges

Joe Ollman

Joe Ollmann is a cartoonist who has lived in Hamilton most of his life. He is the author of seven graphic novels. His most recent book, Fictional Father was short-listed for The Governor General’s Award in Canada, the first time a graphic novel was nominated for that award.

www.wagpress.net

facebook.com/joe.ollmann

Kristina Durka

Kristina Durka is a media artist, arts administrator, and rabbit enthusiast from Hamilton, Ontario. Her work has been exhibited throughout North America and is held in international private collections. Durka is currently the Co-Chair of Assembly Gallery, Operations Coordinator for Factory Media Centre, and Programming Assistant at Hamilton Artists Inc.

www.factorymediacentre.ca/about-us/staff-and-board

instagram.com/ladylagomorph

Marla Panko

Marla Panko is an established painter who also works in collage and fibre. Her approach is visually rooted in abstract formalism, while contextually, her work examines how the individual interacts with our shared culture. Marla has concurrently sustained a long and varied career in art education and arts administration.

marlapanko.ca

Santee Smith

Santee Smith is a multidisciplinary artist from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River. Her artistic work speaks about identity, Indigenous narratives, creative process and representation. Santee is a sought-after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture. Having recently culminated The Mush Hole tour, a production based on the truths of Canada's first Indian Residential School, her upcoming public art commission Talking Earth will premiere in June at the Gardiner Museum, TO. 

www.kahawidance.org/santeesmith

facebook.com/santee.smith1

instagram.com/santeesmith

Terrance Odette

Hamilton Film-maker Terrance Odette began directing music television series & specials, including 150 music videos. He’s written & directed 4 award-winning narrative feature films to critical acclaim (Variety, Village Voice), screening at festivals including Sundance, Berlin and TIFF. Odette latest feature films include two documentaries “Festa” and “Unimaginable”.

www.terranceodette.ca

instagram.com/terrance.odette

Yuma Hester

Anishinaabe (Neyaashiinigmiing), and Ililowuk (Moose Factory) Yuma has spent the better part of 20 years in community development, working and consulting with over 30 First Nations communities. Currently a founding member, and Creative Director with Bawaadan Collective. Yuma along with a diverse group of Indigenous artists and accomplices work collaboratively to continually develop our collaborative approaches to modern artistic storytelling and film production processes.

www.BawaadanCollective.com

facebook.com/Malifiscent

Art to Go Podcast (Nancy Benoy, Cornelia Peckart)

Art To Go Podcast was created by Nancy Benoy and Cornelia Peckart. The co-hosts are artists and educators who created the podcast to celebrate the arts and culture of the city of Hamilton. They laugh, have fun, enjoy adventure and tend to be on the optimistic side of the spectrum.

instagram.com/arttogopodcast

David Beresford

David Beresford has over 15 years professional experience doing live caricature drawings, illustrations and painting projects. He has volunteered with the Lawson Ministries Paparella Art program and the Autism Centre in Downtown Hamilton. He has helped many individuals with their art projects, creative ideas and social interaction skills.

www.davidberesford.ca

facebook.com/davidberesford.art.ca

instagram.com/DavidBeresfordArt/

Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith, Diploma Radio Broadcasting at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology; host of SCM radio program on CFMU 93.3FM and INDI 101.5FM, member of the CFMU 93.3 programming committee. Currently working on creating a media channel dedicated to the greater Hamilton area arts and music community.

www.steelcitymusic.ca

facebook.com/Steelcitymusicdotca/

instagram.com/scmgram/

twitter.com/steelcitymusic