The impact of faculty from Brock\u2019s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts is being felt in the local community.<\/p>\n
Amy Friend, Associate Professor and Department of Visual Arts Chair, and Rachel Rensink-Hoff, Associate Professor in the Department of Music, were each recently honoured during the St. Catharines Arts Awards and recognized for their respective contributions to helping the arts thrive locally.<\/p>\n
Friend received the Established Artist Award during the awards celebration held Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Her work, which has been exhibited nationally and internationally, explores various methodologies through photography, installation and community-based collaborations. The focus of her work fluctuates with investigations relative to history, time, land memory, dust, oceans and connections to the universe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe award is a wonderful nod to the work artists accomplish in this community and there are many of us,\u201d Friend said. \u201cI have grown as an artist in this region and have had opportunities to collaborate with many people. I would like to see even greater and consistent support for the arts in our community and schools. There is an abundance of amazing work happening here, but much more is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rensink-Hoff \u2014 Conductor of the Brock University Choir and Sora Singers, and Artistic Director of the Avanti Chamber Singers \u2014 was presented with the Arts in Education Award.<\/p>\n
Her contributions to the local arts community have resulted in many performances and partnerships, including the co-ordination of a performance by the Brock University Choir, Avanti Chamber Singers and Sora Singers under the leadership of guest conductor, Kanaka Maoli artist, activist and cultural bearer Jace Kaholokula Sapan.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt is a joy to be a part of a thriving arts community here in St. Catharines and I am humbled by this recognition, particularly on the heels of a challenging two and a half years,\u201d Rensink-Hoff said. \u201cI have seen in my students and singers just how life-giving their participation in the arts can be. Their passion and dedication to making music throughout the pandemic has been such a tremendous source of inspiration.”<\/p>\n