Celebrating our local arts champions

Peter Davis Carol Bauer

By Janet Jarrell

For over 25 years, the Quinte Arts Council has recognized individuals and/or businesses who have made a difference to the arts in our community with our Arts Recognition Awards. Without exception, these recipients make Quinte a destination for those craving a vibrant arts and culture scene. Traditionally, winners are celebrated at The Luncheon for the Arts, which is held in September. The 2020 Arts Recognition Awards Celebration was held virtually on Thursday December 3, 2020 via Zoom, and featured special guests Mayor Mitch Panciuk and musical guests Instant Rivalry. Local woodturner James Walt created the awards. This year, we celebrated five local arts champions:

Peter Davis (posthumous award) was the first designer of the QAC's publication Umbrella (then a newspaper), retiring in 2012 after 20 years. He grew up in a house full of paint and clay and knew early on this would be his profession. He worked in Toronto as a painter, illustrator, photographer and graphic artist for magazines such as Maclean's, Financial Post, Quest and Homemakers. On December 21, 2019, Peter Davis passed away peacefully at home, at the age of 82, after a long decline.

Carol Bauer spent almost 25 years at the QAC where she worked alongside Peter Davis on the Umbrella. Her focus at the QAC was on arts education and performing arts programs overseeing memorable programs such as The Jeunesses Musicales Series of Classical Music and Opera, the Kids' Playhouse Series, the World Music and Dance program, the spectacular Two Weeks in May Festival of the Arts and many more.

Marilyn Lawrie has many career highlights including stage managing the musical created by artistic director Caroline Smith that opened the Stirling Festival Theatre, Executive Director at Quinte Ballet School of Canada, a two-year term as Executive Director at the QAC, and as the General Manager/ Concert Manager at Quinte Symphony that fostered a “deep respect for musicians.”

Christopher Bennett is a well-known visual artist, dancer, teacher, entrepreneur behind SeRnA custom Artwork, and muralist, who recently completed the “Essential Workers” mural on Dundas Street West. He is an enthusiastic advocate for the arts and for providing opportunities for both youth and adults.

Jennifer Pries (emerging artist award) owns and operates Studio on the Farm in Roslin, Ont., and teaches in different disciplines: painting, drawing, printing and yarn work, encouraging creativity to those around her. She has taught in our local schools, teaching 80 grade 2 students Christmas sign making. She started a sketch club via Facebook during Covid-19 to keep artists inspired, engaged and creative.

We thank our sponsors Elexicon Energy and the City of Belleville, and Paul Dinkel of Paulo’s and Dinkels Restaurants.

For over 25 years, the Quinte Arts Council has recognized individuals and/or businesses who have made a difference to the arts in our community with our Arts Recognition Awards. Without exception, these recipients make Quinte a destination for those craving a vibrant arts and culture scene.