Arts Culture and Heritage Award Program

2023 Recipient

Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Durham Region Branch

• The Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Durham Region Branch (UCC-Durham) impacts the Oshawa community through local initiatives it has led in response to the geopolitical situation in Ukraine.
• They mobilized as an umbrella organization uniting both Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian community members and volunteers, leaders, and religious and other organizations in Oshawa.
• Together they have worked with Municipal, Regional, Provincial and Federal governments to organize the Durham Ukrainian Relief Project and the Durham Ukrainian Relief Fund (DURF).
• Through the DURF, UCC-Durham was able to issue financial aid to 27 Ukrainian newcomer families and temporary housing support for 8 families.
• UCC-Durham continues to collaborate with community partners including Oshawa and Durham host families, volunteers, local hotel chains, private landlords, food banks, schools, transit, employers, and various levels of government to support newcomers.
• The UCC-Durham has organized 88 rallies and will continue in their efforts to show support for Ukraine during the full-scale war in Ukraine.
• UCC-Durham has organized fundraisers to support local cultural initiatives including Ukrainian language school and dance ensembles whose members/participants include the Ukrainian diaspora in Oshawa and Durham Region. These groups have entertained and enriched the fabric of Oshawa's Cultural landscape through participation in, and support of, events such as Fiesta Week.

Previous Recipients

• Julian Sheehan-Ford
  Fifteen-year-old Julian's efforts and passions have impacted the community, especially when it comes to veterans. Since the age of eight he has been visiting veterans and handing out roses to thank them for their sacrifice and service. At thirteen he began constructing crosses and displaying them in his front yard eventually selling them to raise funds. Julian has raised over $10,000 through his charity “ A Rose to Remember” for veterans. He is a Canadian ambassador for the Free Riders Without Borders and has donated to Reno's for Heroes to supply house repairs for veterans. Julian's crosses have been displayed at Oshawa City Hall as well as Toronto.
• Jim Fergusson
  Jim is the lead of the Food for Clothing Exchange initiative in Oshawa. For over 30 years, this event has taken place on the first Saturday of November at a local school gymnasium. The number of individuals served varies from year to year, with more than 530 receiving clothing in 2019. Donations of non-perishable food items are accepted as well, and are donated to local food banks following the event. Any clothing or footwear not selected during the event is donated afterwards to agencies and shelters where a need has been identified.
• S.J. Jim Brewster
  Jim was born in Oshawa in 1924. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Air Force. He became a navigator on bombers, mostly Lancasters, and flew many missions over enemy territory. After the war he started a business called Mechanical Advertising which is still in business today. Over the years he has donated almost a $1,000,000 to the Oshawa hospital. He has been a member of Legion #43 for over 70 years. A street is to be named after him.
• Sharon Clark
  Sharon has worked closely with Durham Children's Aid Foundation through her own charity Sharon's Kids which is celebrating 50 years this year! Sharon has worked tirelessly finding ways to better children's lives at Christmas and year round. Her big heart and caring attitude has brought happiness to countless children through the years and is reflected in her message of "making smiles possible".
• Gord Reid
  Gord was a foster parent, Block Parent, and a member of the Neighbourhood Watch. He volunteered with Community Care Durham, Meals on Wheels and the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centers. He was awarded the Provincial honour of Senior of the Year in 2008. Gord was also a tireless advocate for the rights of older adults. His persistence resulted in the modification of the income tax rebate program to favour low income seniors.
• Mal Knocker
  Mal has served his community through the Canadian Armed Forces, the Oshawa Fire Department (35 years), as a coach to numerous teams, fundraiser and blood donor (140 units). He is a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43 and also Drum Major of their Pipe Band.
• Chelsea Smith
  A dedicated student who has given her time at the Y.M.C.A., a local seniors centre, Lakeridge Health, as an afterschool helper as well as helping to building schools in Africa.
• Jackie Finn
  42 years of community service with the trade union, Meals on Wheels and the Auto Workers Community Credit Union.
• Viola Pilkey
  Significant contribution of time and talent to social causes and political parties.
• Bob Hooper
  "Oshawa's #1 Fan"
• Ken Shaw
  A tireless volunteer devoted to numerous charities.
• Dave Thompson
  Dedication and leadership in the development of rugby in Oshawa.
• Jim Potticary
  Advocating for the health, welfare and happiness of senior citizens
• Oshawa Block Parents Association
  Providing a safe haven for the children in our community.

2023 Recipient

Susan Campbell

Susan Campbell is an Oshawa-based interdisciplinary artist. She obtained a Masters of Fine Arts in Art, Media and Design from OCAD University after extensive studies in design and digital media in Ireland. Susan now teaches art and design at OCAD University and at Durham College.

Susan’s artwork investigates signs and patterns of urban intensification as played out on development sites, parking lots and sidewalks. Her art frequently explores physical mapping practices as a means to interpret and reflect on the design dynamics found within the urban landscape, confronting issues brought about by the intensification of urban development.

She has exhibited across Canada and internationally, including at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Cambridge Galleries and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Susan has received numerous grants, including from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

Previous Recipients

• Margaret Rodgers (2022)
• Marissa Sweet (2021)
• Dani Crosby (2020)
• Grant Cole (2019)
• Ron Lambert (2018)

2023 Recipient

Diana Nadia Lawryshyn

Diana Nadia Lawryshyn is a Ukrainian-Canadian multi-disciplinary artist from Oshawa. Diana is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, blending traditional and modern technological methods. Her music uses thoughtful arrangement of sound to tell a story full of imagery. Diana attended Queen’s University, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in music, education and visual art. Upon graduation she was awarded the Maurice Dubin Prize in Composition. She is continuing her studies of the arts at the University of Toronto.

Her visual artwork focuses on cultural iconography, visual cryptography and magnifying perceptions of the ordinary. Diana produces a unique style of visual art by utilizing many techniques including surrealism, abstraction and texture. Her works have been featured in exhibitions at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Whitby’s Station Gallery and Kingston’s Storefront Gallery.

Diana is an active volunteer with the Ukrainian-Canadian community in Oshawa. She has displayed her artwork at various community events, donated prints to raise money for Ukraine, and volunteered her time as piano accompanist for concerts performed by students at the Ivan Franko Ukrainian School of Oshawa, as well as led art and music workshops.

Previous Recipients

• Bolu Adefemi (2022)
• Leequette Santiago (2021)
• Meaghan Kehoe (2020)
• Joaquin Manay (2019)
• Crown Lands (Cody Bowles and Kevin Comeau) (2018)

2023 Recipient

Anushka and Arushi Bhattacharjee

Anushka Bhattacharjee, 10 years old, and Arushi Bhattacharjee, seven years old are published authors from Oshawa. Anushka’s love of reading at a very early age led to her becoming a young author. When she was unable to borrow books from the library during the pandemic she decided to write her own story so she would be able to read it. Anushka published her first book, “My Magic Mirror” at eight years old and won the Readers’ Favorite Gold Award.

Inspired by her sister, Arushi started writing her own book when she was five years old. Her book, “T-Rex Trouble!!!” is a first place Firebird Book Award winner.

The Bhattacharjee sisters hope to inspire many young readers to become authors. They visit local schools, including Alexander Graham Bell P.S., Claremont P.S., Stephen G. Saywell P.S., and more. They also have one-on-one sessions with other children to help them in their writing process. Anushka and Arushi give back to their community and donate part of their proceeds to charitable organizations like Durham Children’s Aid Association.

Previous Recipients

• Oshawa Museum (2022)
• Bawaajigewin (2021)
• Oshawa Public Libraries (2020)
• Laura Suchan (2019)
• Mary Krohnert and the LivingRoom Community Art Studio (2018)