Artist Spotlight

Alan was a creative thinker who approached life, including his art, from his own unique perspective. His sharp, inquisitive mind is reflected in his work as he always sought to probe deeper into the issues that surrounded him and his environment. His passion and commitment to excellence in art and its recognition in his community is brought to form in “The Denney” award – the statue that is awarded to the Arts Awards Waterloo Region recipients.

Trevor is co-owner and director of Renaissance School of the Arts and conducts the Waterloo Concert Band and K-W Symphony Youth Concert Band. As a composer and arranger, he has produced more than 950 scores for performers around the world and for local groups, including KW Glee. He also teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The Hep Cat Hoppers is a group of Kitchener-Waterloo community members dedicated to bringing people together to share music and dance from the Golden Age of Swing. Members offer dance classes and host dance events, striving to create a safe and happy environment. The group’s vision is to create a sustainable swing-era community.

Brooke first stepped onto the stage at the age of 5 and hasn’t looked back. She has been a youth performer with Drayton Entertainment for the last five years. Brooke loves the spotlight and she can also be seen singing at concerts, fundraisers, competitions, nursing homes, festivals and sporting events across the Region of Waterloo.

Amy has a degree in fine arts from Syracuse University and completed a graduate program in museum studies. She has painted locally for 10 years. Her show Accidental Orbs was displayed at Kitchener City Hall in 2015 and she helped produced the 2015 exhibit, Fast Forward Waterloo Region. She has also curated art shows for local establishments.

Now in its 21st year, the Cambridge Arts Festival offers free, interactive family fun —including a Kids Zone, street market and music stage. New and established local artists, musicians and performers can present their talents at no charge. Art meets technology in the Maker Lab, which features everything from 3D printers to robot battles.

Vienna, a singer-songwriter, organized and performed at four local charity events in 2015. She has sung at area festivals and at venues across Canada, the United States and Europe. At one event she collaborated with local painters to explore the creation process across mediums. Her album It’s What The Dog Saw was released in 2015.

This one-day event got started in 2002 with only 200 attendees. Its popularity exploded when it moved to the new Cambridge City Hall. The festival is a showcase for juried works by local visual, literary and performance artists. In 2015 more than 5,000 visitors enjoyed the art and sampled tasty food prepared by local restaurants.

Rufus is a singer, entertainer and entrepreneur. He is also a child and youth worker and helps young people to focus on their strengths as a way to connect and engage. In 2015 he developed a Music Is My Weapon initiative to teach young people the basics of song writing, music arranging, audio engineering and performing.

A graduate of the Integrated Arts Program at Eastwood Collegiate, Steven is a University of Waterloo fine arts student and a member of the Art District Gallery in Kitchener. In 2015 he won the junior edition of The Brush Off competition and placed first in the Waterloo Region District School Board’s Atrium Student Art Display.

Monte is a visual artist who for years has assisted other artists with encouragement and help getting their work displayed. He served a term as president of the K-W Society of Artists. In recent years he has been a volunteer art instructor at Hope Studio in Kitchener, a program sponsored by his Waterloo Mennonite Brethren church.

The Grand River Film Festival will mark its 10th year in October. It’s a week-long event that brings bold, reflective and inspiring films — local, Canadian and international — to audiences at venues across Waterloo Region. The festival works throughout the year to support local filmmakers with its short-film competition and film industry workshops.