Awards

Thanks to the support of businesses and donors, we are pleased to award $4,000 in specialty prizes, in addition to a Jurors’ Choice Award and 3 Honourable Mentions. Award winners will be announced on June 25, 2026, and will also be listed in our Winners Gallery.

Oeno Gallery Award of Excellence

The 4th Annual Oeno Gallery Award of Excellence will be presented to the creator of one exceptional work, demonstrating creativity and originality, executed with technical fluency and skill, and presented professionally. The winner will be selected by Carlyn Moulton, Owner & Curator, Oeno Gallery. This award has a monetary value of $1000. 

Carson Arthur Award

The 5th Annual Carson Arthur will be presented to an artist whose work represents, or evokes Nature in an innovative and original way. The jurors will determine the award recipient from Carson Arthur’s selection of three finalists. This award includes a $500 monetary gift for the winning artist and a $500 donation to a local, non-profit organization advocating for the protection of the environment (organization selected by the winning artist).

Akasha Art Projects Award

The 4th Annual Akasha Art Projects Award will be presented to an artist whose work represents a fresh and original approach to their artistic expression. Considerations for this award are extended to artists who explore the boundaries of their chosen media through innovative perspectives that evoke and challenge the viewer. Founders of Akasha Art Projects, Kelly Kyle & Sonja Scharf, will choose three finalists and will defer to the jurors of AITC to select the final recipient. The recipient of the award will receive a gift certificate in the amount of $500, redeemable at Akasha Art Projects.

    Don Watson Award

    The Don Watson Award will be presented to a realist painter whose work is arresting, not just in terms of colour, composition and subject matter, but also for the creative struggle and tension evidenced in the materiality of the work itself. The jurors will determine the award recipient from the donor’s selection of three finalists. This award includes a $750 monetary gift.

     

    Don Watson, in whose memory this award is given, was an active member of the County’s arts community for many years. His first love was theatre, particularly musical theatre. To the many productions in which he performed, he brought a fine voice, a generous heart and considerable skills. The County’s theatre community remembers him with affection. For several years, Don also ran Round The Bend Gallery with his husband, Andrew Innes, a painter. 

    People’s Choice Award

    Sponsored by Welch LLP the award recipient is determined by the number of ballots cast by visitors. The winner will be announced on the last day of the show – July 12th at 1PM. Check-out our social media feed to see if your favourite piece was selected!

    Children’s Choice Award

    Sponsored by Wildlings the award recipient is determined by the number of ballots cast. It’s a wonderful way to encourage children to engage with the collection. The winner will be announced on the last day of the show – July 12th at 1PM. 

    Community Arts Builder Award

    Sponsored by Laurie Gruer, Monica Klingenberg & Alysa Hawkins of Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited Brokerage, the Community Arts Builder Award returns in 2025. With nominees chosen by County residents, the Community Arts Builder Award recognizes an individual who has enriched community life through the arts. Past recipients include Alex Currie & Erynn Ahern – Radiator Collective (2025); Sarah Crawford, exemplary champion, volunteer, and benefactor of the arts (2024); Bruce Dowdell, Marysburgh Mummers volunteer and youth mentor (2023); Sarah Moran, arts champion and volunteer (2022); Kato Wake, Visual Artist and Instructor (2021); Hri Neil, Founder Carbon Art & Design (2020); Krista Dalby, Artistic Director Department of Illumination (2019); and Alice & Peter Mennacher, Co-founders Blizzmax Gallery (2018). Thanks to an increased investment in this program, this Award will now include a $500 monetary gift.

    All 2026 nominations must be received by June 12 at noon.
    Click here to access the nomination form.