2026 CELEBRATION
The Owen Sound Arts, Culture and Volunteer Awards celebrate excellence in the arts, culture and heritage in the greater Owen Sound area. This year, the celebration event also includes the Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, and Senior of the Year Awards.
This year, the long-standing ‘Volunteer of the Year’ category has been formally renamed the ‘Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year Award’. These awards were titled after Jan Chamberlain, following her passing last summer, to honour her remarkable legacy as a community champion and former City Councillor. Jan’s decades of service embodied the spirit of volunteerism in Owen Sound and inspired others to be positive changemakers.
Each winner of the Arts and Culture awards received a beautifully hand-crafted clay bowl by Sharilyn Clowes owner of Forty Hills Forge located in the Forty Hills of Carrick Township. Her and her partner Brian work together to make beautiful pieces that will last a lifetime! Her cards are on the tables if you wish to know more about her and her partner’s artistry.
Congratulations to the 2026 winners. Below are the winners included their nominators comments,
Lifetime Achievement Award - Colleen Purdon
Colleen is a long‑term community leader and advocate who has worked for decades in the not‑for‑profit sector focused on equality, safety, justice, and opportunities for rural women, children, vulnerable people, newcomers, and Indigenous peoples. Her work includes grassroots community development, capacity building, and collaborative action planning to support both individual and systemic change in the region.
Colleen served as Coordinator of Violence Prevention Grey Bruce, a broad intersectoral collaboration to end domestic and sexual violence for around 20 years and worked with provincial networks to coordinate strategies addressing violence against women.
She also served on Owen Sound City Council from 2011 to 2014, bringing attention to issues like poverty, affordable housing, youth support, environmental concerns, and broader community inclusion.
She is a key organizer of the Grey Bruce One World Festival in Owen Sound, a long‑running celebration of cultural diversity and community belonging drawing students and residents together to learn about and celebrate difference.
Colleen also helped launch the Good Neighbours Network, a mentorship initiative to help newcomers connect with local services and settle in Grey Bruce. She has also been active with Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce, serving as a board member and advocating for equity in municipal policy.
In 2015 she was awarded the YMCA Peace Medallion for her efforts to prevent violence and promote inclusive community building in Owen Sound and Grey Bruce.
Beyond direct community initiatives, Colleen has worked on research and development projects relating to gender, poverty, service coordination, and inclusion, and has collaborated with arts and cultural organizations on strategic planning efforts.
Overall, Colleen is widely recognized locally as a catalyst for inclusion, peace, diversity, and support for underserved populations in the Owen Sound area. Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Colleen Purdon.
Artistic Excellence - Shirra Benson
Shirra Benson, a Canadian landscape painter based in Owen Sound, Ontario, creates work rooted in her deep connection to the natural world. After a career in equestrian show jumping and the transformative experience of motherhood, she returned to painting, drawing inspiration from the Niagara Escarpment, Bruce Trail, and Georgian Bay. Her gestural, textured landscapes explore the relationship between memory, material, and place, translating the rhythms and energy of nature into layered, abstract compositions. Shirra’s work has been exhibited locally and regionally, and she is an active member of the Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op. Shirra received 2 nominations in this category
Cultural Impact - Grey Bruce Makers
Grey Bruce Makers has redefined what culture looks like in Owen Sound and Grey County, showing that woodworking, metalwork, digital design, and craft entrepreneurship are as vital as traditional arts. By providing access to professional-grade tools like laser cutters, CNC machines, 3D printers, and welders, GBM empowers artists, tradespeople, youth, and retirees to create, innovate, and share skills. Beyond equipment, GBM fosters a collaborative, intergenerational community through meetups, skill-sharing, makers’ markets, and public events. It supports regional cultural initiatives, nurtures creative entrepreneurship, and bridges art with enterprise, strengthening both the local economy and cultural identity. By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Grey Bruce Makers serves as a transformative cultural catalyst, inspiring individuals to move from consumer to creator.
Outstanding Event - Amelia Kraemer - Canadian Encaustic Conference
Amelia has made a lasting impact on Owen Sound’s cultural landscape by bringing the Canadian Encaustic Conference to the city, elevating its national profile, and creating opportunities for local artists to access professional development and mentorship. Her vision strengthened downtown vibrancy, supported creative tourism, and fostered collaboration across the arts. Through initiative, ambition, and professional execution, Amelia positioned Owen Sound as a serious arts destination, expanding what is possible for the community and the arts.
Senior Volunteer of the Year - Anne Robertson
Anne is totally committed to Brightshores Health System and has donated to the hospital for over 30 years. She is also an enthusiastic and supportive volunteer of the Brightshores Health System Owen Sound foundation and, leads by example and encourages others around her to support the local health community. She contributes a significant amount of time to the hospital foundation in a variety of capacities and is currently chair of the five foundations Council for all of Brightshores hospitals.
Anne encourages others to contribute in different ways to the hospital and its foundation. Anne supports young mothers in the community who do not have someone close to help when they are required to be working and, their children need rides to school, the doctor, or the dentist. This is not an organized Association but rather a commitment to supporting the community in general by doing this type of service.
Youth Volunteer of the Year - Abigail Trombley
Abigail joined the first-ever Camp Summerfolk in 2023, a program designed to inspire kids to volunteer at the festival. By its second year, Abigail had stepped into a leadership role at the camp while also assisting with various weekend crews. In the past year, Abigail became one of four youth volunteer leaders forming the Youth Committee, now part of the festival’s planning team. This committee is now shaping Camp Summerfolk to create a lasting legacy, welcoming young people into the festival family and nurturing a strong culture of volunteerism.
Abigail’s contributions are exceptional. She is one of the most dependable volunteers weI have ever had the pleasure of working with. A quiet yet natural leader, she leads by example, demonstrating dedication, responsibility, and a strong work ethic in everything she does. If she commits to a task, it will be completed reliably and efficiently. Beyond her own responsibilities, Abigail is always among the first to step forward and offer assistance wherever it is needed, whether that’s supporting other volunteers, guiding youth at Camp Summerfolk, or helping behind the scenes during festival operations. Her consistency, initiative, and calm leadership not only make her an invaluable member of our team but also inspire and set a standard for others to follow. Abigail is an inspiration to others through her quiet leadership and consistent reliability.
Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year #1 - Andrew Howlett
Andrew has given so much time to many different organizations; depending on the time of the year, he may have volunteered over 20 hours a week. It is also the various types of volunteering he performs; He leverages his financial background and often plays a key executive role on the boards.
Andrew is an inspiration as he is someone that can always be counted on to step up and help out, even though he already has a number of volunteer hours committed to his executive roles. As Francesca Dobbyn from United Way said, “Andrew is one of those people who always seems to show up”.
His impact is felt over the number and size of organizations he supports. A lot of the organizations he supports are quite large, (Minor Soccer - 1000 participants, Owen Sound Special Olympics - 137 registered athletes, Bruce Ski Club - 1063 participants, Grey Bruce Makers - 105) so his work has reached a lot of members in the community in many different areas. Andrew is a tireless volunteer who gives up so much of his time across many different organizations to enrich the lives of so many people in our community. He is not someone who does it to be seen; rather comes forward when there is a need and then performs that role.
Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year #2 - Frank Greaves
I don’t know what I would do without Frank and his amazing work crew.
Frank is always the first call when issues arise with the building at Harmony Centre, and he responds quickly and enthusiastically to the challenges of this massive and complicated facility. He is always “on call” for problems.
Frank inspires by happy and enthusiastic example, and by including others who want to contribute their time and skills to making Harmony Centre a safe and welcoming space for everyone. For 13 years he has organized this work crew into teams that tackle all kinds of jobs throughout the building.
We consistently have over 150 bookings a month, from Square Dancing to Music Lessons to afterschool programs to occupational therapy. Almost 30,000 people walk through our doors year after year.
As a Founder of Harmony Centre, Frank Greaves has remained dedicated to the mission and vision of this Social Enterprise since its inception in 2012. He has constantly supported Harmony Centre with his time, and expertise, and demonstrates unwavering commitment to its continued growth and success, while also providing the opportunity and encouragement for others to do the same. Frank Greaves is the kind of impassioned and dedicated volunteer that every charity hopes for, and Harmony Centre would love to have him recognized by the wider community with this award.
Cultural Legacy - Owen Sound Emancipation Festival
The Festival is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization celebrating Black history and culture in Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe Counties. It engages the community by honoring the Underground Railroad, supporting artists, musicians, writers, and historians, and promoting cultural heritage and genealogy. The Festival hosts vendors, speakers, and performances, including live music, dance, and educational exhibits, while fostering mentorship and leadership through programs like the Youth Ambassador initiative. Rooted in a history of community gatherings dating to the 1860s, the Festival continues to highlight local Black contributions, inclusion, and pride. Its success relies on volunteers, sponsors, and partnerships with organizations such as Grey Roots Museum & Archives, and it remains a vibrant cultural cornerstone and heritage gem for Owen Sound.
Cultural Changemaker - Keith Medley
The SweetWater Music Festival, founded by Keith and his late wife, has brought world-class musicians to Owen Sound for over two decades. Featuring May concerts and a five-day September festival with classical, jazz, contemporary, and world music, it emphasizes community engagement. Programs include school performances, mentorship for young string players, an amateur string ensemble, local instrument showcases, and free events like concerts, talks, and wellness sessions. Keith’s vision of fostering musical appreciation and enriching the community continues to guide and sustain the festival, making it a cornerstone of local arts.
Frontier Award - MaryAnn Thomas and Miranda Miller
The Owen Sound Current goes beyond local news, supporting community culture by paying local writers to cover topics from arts and music to community development and volunteerism. Its Events Listings and feature articles connect residents with exhibitions, performances, workshops, and other cultural activities. The publication prioritizes usability with a clean, ad-free design, clear timelines, and accessible storytelling, delivering content directly to readers via newsletter. It maintains ethical standards by distinguishing news from opinion and uses digital tools like data visualization to enhance clarity, transparency, and comprehension.
Emerging Artist - Leopold Baker
Leo actively develops and showcases his art in local communities, including solo shows in Wiarton and Walkerton. With a Youth Climate Action Fund grant, he created a triptych mural at the Ontario Education Centre highlighting Ontario’s at-risk wildlife, involving peers in its creation. Beyond art, Leo is a Student Trustee, LGBTQ+ advocate, and active member of his school’s Wellness and Inclusivity Club and Art Club, mentoring others. He also volunteers in community art projects and plans to submit work to local juried exhibitions, making him a strong candidate for the Emerging Artist award.
Shared Voices - Marc Matei
Marc is a talented artist who empowers youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to express themselves through art. He has led collaborative projects, including a quilt featuring over 200 local contributors, and facilitated workshops at GB Arts, GB Makers Space, and Upward Art Studio to provide equitable learning opportunities. Through his own exhibitions and dedication to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, Marc fosters creative growth and builds a more inclusive arts community.
Congratulations to the 2025 winners:
- 2025 Volunteer of the Year – Jeff Nickel
- 2025 Volunteer of the Year – Dave Barber
- 2025 Youth Volunteer of the Year – Olive Borowski
- 2025 Senior of the Year – Evelyn Barnes
Congratulations to the award winners (2024) of the bi-annual Arts & Culture Awards:
- Cultural Catalyst – Georgian Bay School of the Arts
- Cultural Heritage – Dean McLellan
- Outstanding Event – Emancipation Festival
- Outstanding Group – Sweetwater Music Festival
- Outstanding Individual – Raquell Yang
- Emerging Artist – Jacob Corston
- Most Promising New Event – Owen Sound Memoirs
- Lifetime Achievement – Elizabeth Zetlin
Please click the appropriate form below to make a nomination. The outlined eligibility and nomination criteria are also below.
For information regarding the Arts and Culture Awards, contact Jen Wright, Events and Activation Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1237 or email jwright@owensound.ca.
For information regarding the Volunteer of the Year Awards, contact Andy O’Leary, Facilities Booking Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1255, or email aoleary@owensound.ca.
If you require assistance or an accessible format of these forms, please call the Communications Advisor at 519-376-1440 ext. 1211 or email communications@owensound.ca
