The City of Oshawa is proud to celebrate the individuals, collectives and organizations that contribute to making Oshawa a great place to live, work and play. Two award programs, the Community Legends Award and the Oshawa Culture Counts Awards, are awarded each spring annually.
Community Legends Award
Each year, a Community Legend Award recipient is selected and recognized by Oshawa City Council. In addition, a temporary display will be available at the Delpark Homes Centre, along with a permanent plaque.
Eligibility
The Community Legends Award recognizes a person of any age or an organization/group who:
- made a significant contribution to an activity, sport or community initiative as a volunteer
- contributed to improving the quality of life of the Oshawa community
- made a significant impact on the Oshawa community at a grassroots level through arts and culture, sports or community initiatives
Review Process
Nominations for the Community Legends Award will be reviewed and selected by the Community Services Committee for recommendation to Council for final approval.
Previous Recipients
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- 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.
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Culture Counts Awards
The Oshawa Culture Counts Awards celebrate and honour the creative and cultural achievements of the community in three categories:
- Oshawa Culture Counts Professional Artist
- Oshawa Culture Counts Emerging Artist
- Innovation and Creation Champion Award
Selected recipients are acknowledged at a City Council meeting in the spring.
Work Sample Submission Criteria
- Visual, Fine Craft, Multimedia: Include up to five images. All images must be in JPEG format, no larger than 2 MB each. Please include an image list containing the title, dimensions, and date of the artwork.
- Music – performances, technical, or production (all genres): Include up to two songs as a web link to YouTube videos, Soundcloud files, etc.; if an album is submitted, please note two songs you would like the Jury to listen to and for all include appropriate production credits, such as the publisher and performance dates.
- Theatre, Performance, Dance: Include five minutes of a recent work via web link. Please cue media to the starting time, and include appropriate production credits such as the director, writer, and performance dates.
- Writing: Include up to two samples of current work (Word/PDF), no more than ten pages. Please include appropriate production credits, such as the date, publisher, and editor. Please note any passages you would like the Jury to read.
- For an organization or collective, please provide work samples that support the nomination. This could be a web link to the website with notes on the areas you would like the Jury to focus on or PDF/Word files of brochures or other marketing materials explaining the organization's impact.
Eligibility
- Applicants and nominees must be current or former residents of the City of Oshawa, work in the City of Oshawa, or collaborate with an Oshawa-based organization
- An applicant or nominee may be the recipient of only one award per year
- City of Oshawa staff are not eligible for an award but may nominate individuals
- An individual cannot be nominated posthumously
Review Process
Nominations for the Culture Counts Awards will be peer-reviewed and selected by a subcommittee of the Cultural Leadership Council.
For each category noted above, City staff will develop an evaluation matrix and guideline for assessing the recipient of the awards.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate their artistic merit, critical acknowledgement of the work/ initiative, evidence of recognition by the local community, and describe their career path/ organizational background and association to the arts discipline/ initiative.
Oshawa Culture Counts Award: Professional Artist
This award recognizes an established artist of any arts discipline (including performing, visual, cinematic, design, architecture and literary arts) who has demonstrated creativity, originality, professional maturity and artistic leadership in the community.
The following criteria will be used to select the award recipient:
- Artistic merit / interest
- Critical acknowledgments of the artist's work (e.g. exhibition/performance opportunities, publications, reviews, articles, etc.)
- Recognition by local arts community
Previous Recipients
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- Marissa Sweet (2021)
Marissa is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists and Ontario Society of Artists who integrates the principles of Feng Shui into her artwork. Her practice in this ancient form of metaphysics has inspired her to create landscapes that bring awareness to our interconnectivity to nature.
- Primarily self -taught her artwork describes our relationship with the natural world where she is renewed and inspired. Her paintings evoke an escape from our busy lives and bring up memories of a happy simpler time. She finds inspiration in the creeks and marshlands here in Durham Region, rural pastures and farmlands. She enjoys plein air painting in oil. She has a long list of exhibitions and workshops.
- With a BA Economics degree and years in various corporate roles, Marissa currently facilitates art workshops in the Durham Region and at her home studio. In 2019 she was one of the 18 selected artists to participate in the inaugural Landscape Artist of the Year Canada TV show on CBC and Makeful TV. Marissa is a member of the Oshawa Art Association and the Federation of Canadian Artists.
- Dani Crosby (2020)
- Grant Cole (2019)
- Ron Lambert (2018)
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Oshawa Culture Counts Award: Emerging Artist
This award recognizes an artist in the early stages of their career in any arts discipline (including performing, visual, cinematic, design, architecture and literary arts) who is skilled and determined to advance their artistic capabilities. This individual understands the value of their gift within the community, and leverages these skills to inspire and enrich the lives of fellow citizens.
The individual must be between 12 to 30 years or have begun their artistic practice within the past five years.
The following criteria will be used to select the award recipient:
- Artistic merit / interest
- Evidence of commitment to artistic practice
- Career path in an artistic discipline
- Critical acknowledgments of the artist's work (i.e., exhibition/performance opportunities, publications, reviews, articles, etc.) (see above comment)
- Recognition by the local arts community
Previous Recipients
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- Leequette Santiago (2021)
My name is Leequette Santiago and I've always had a passion for creativity and innovation. In every setting I've been in I try to help others think outside the box and find new resolutions to ongoing issues. Having found my talent, I strive to motivate and inspire whoever I come in contact with. Recently, I've been utilizing these skills as a student at Durham College and Lakeridge Health Centre. While studying and attending placement, I also teach fine art classes at Michael's.
- Teaching has helped me hone my leadership and critical thinking skills. Being a student has helped me view multiple perspectives and gain critical thinking skills that are useful in medical and general administration.
- One of Leequette's artworks was chosen for the Lakeview Park 100th Anniversary Banner Program.
- Meghan Kehoe (2020)
- Joaquin Manay (2019)
- Crown Lands (Cody Bowles and Kevin Comeau) (2018)
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Innovation and Creation Champion
This award honours an individual, collective and/or organization in the creative and cultural industries who has created or enhanced an event, product, program or partnership in the past year. In addition, the award recognizes work that is unique, transformative, and positive in its impact on arts, culture, and heritage in Oshawa.
The following criteria will be used to select the award recipient:
- The level of creativity and innovation of the event, product, program or partnership
- The community impact of the event, product, program or partnership
- Notable achievements relevant to event, product, program or partnership
Previous Recipients
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- Bawaajigewin (2021)
The Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (BACC) is an Aboriginal-led incorporated non-profit agency in the Durham Region. Bawaajigewin is an Ojibway word that means the action of taking something that is a dream and making it into something you can see in real life. BACC strives to respond to and advocate for the dreams and visions of the Durham Region Aboriginal community.
- BACC was developed through numerous community partnerships and consultations in the Durham Region, particularly through the assistance of the Carea Community Health Centre and the Durham Region Aboriginal Advisory Circle.
- Their mandate is to build a strong sense of community, awareness and cultural pride by empowering Aboriginal voices, supporting family and community development, and celebrating the diversity of their knowledge, perspectives and teachings.
- Oshawa Public Library (2020)
- Laura Suchan (2019)
Mary Krohnert and the LivingRoom Community Art Studio (2018)
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