From established performers and educators to emerging artists, members of the Brock University community are making an impact in the local arts scene through their creative vision and dedication.<\/p>\n
Brock graduates, faculty and guest artists were honoured as nominees across five categories for their creative talent and community engagement during the St. Catharines Arts Awards on June 18 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.<\/p>\n
For Assistant Professor of Dramatic Arts (DART) Mike Griffin, recipient of the 2026 Arts in Education Award, teaching theatre is about inspiring the future leaders of artistic communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we train, we develop specialized skills, but we also create an appreciation for the thoughts, ideas and stories of others and for the beauty around us,\u201d he said. \u201cTheatre is about the exploration of humanity. The community that is developed through creating together and sharing that experience with an audience, that is one of the greatest gifts that we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
A theatre educator, director and playwright, Griffin teaches acting, directing, devising, movement, mask and puppetry at Brock\u2019s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.<\/p>\n
He has also written and directed several DART productions, including The Mysterious Mind of Molly McGillicuddy<\/em><\/a>, which explored mild traumatic brain injury and related mental health through full-mask and physical theatre, and Escape to Ilkanor: A Fantasy Play in Nine Chapters<\/em><\/a>, which imagined the fantasy genre through a whimsical and theatrical lens using puppetry and mask.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so grateful to be recognized like this within my community amongst the many incredible artists, educators and supporters of the arts that were nominated,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat a rock star list of humans. I am inspired to go and see more art \u2014 \u00a0there is so much beautiful work happening in this city.\u201d<\/p>\n Comparative Literatures and Arts graduate Kosar Dakhilalian (MA \u201923) received the 2026 Emerging Artists Award, nominated alongside Brock Studio Art grads Adam Wiebe (BA \u201926), Jenn Judson (BA \u201916) and Isabella Saranchuk (BA \u201924).<\/p>\n A director and playwright with a background in acting and literature, Dakhilalian was a two-time art resident with Suitcase in Point Multi-arts Company. A passionate arts educator, Dakhilalian has also taught in DART and delivered workshops on drama-based practices in education at Brock\u2019s Centre for Pedagogical Innovation.<\/p>\n Anne Carruthers (BA \u201989, BEd \u201995) and John Carruthers were awarded the Patron of the Arts Award, which recognizes an individual or business that has made a meaningful contribution to the arts in St. Catharines. The Carruthers were honoured for their generous support and advocacy for Niagara Artists Centre, extensive volunteer work and dedication to growing the cultural community in Niagara.<\/p>\n Multidisciplinary artist Nicole Joy-Fraser, one of DART\u2019s Walker Cultural Leaders for 2025-26, received the 2026 Jury\u2019s Pick Award. A proud bear clan matriarch who grew up in Mississauga with Euro-Settler, Tsa\u2019tin\u00e9e, Nehiyaw and M\u00e9tis bloodlines from Horse Lake First Nation in Alberta, Joy-Fraser played the role of the M\u00e9tis Nutcracker in DART\u2019s 2025 mainstage production<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nominees from the Brock arts community for the 2026 St. Catharines Arts Awards include:<\/p>\n A full list of this year\u2019s award recipients is available on the City of St. Catharines website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t \n