For the first time, two Doseger Awards were presented at the Brook Catherine Doseger Endowment Fund Award ceremony in December. Victor Orozco received the initial award, which honours the important role that post-secondary students play in the success of H’art. Virtual H’art Studio facilitator Stacey Clinton was the second 2021 Doseger Award recipient and the first H’art staff member to be recognized by the award committee.
Victor became involved at H’art Centre on only his third day in Canada. He had recently arrived from Mexico to study Culinary Management at St. Lawrence College. With experience in building and design, he became a natural fit with The Mix expansion project. And the project gave him a chance to meet people and experience Kingston’s thriving arts community.
“I started to meet all the people involved in the Centre, from students, teachers, parents and benefactors. Everyone is amazing and they look for improvement in the community. I will be always grateful to H’art Centre and all the people that belong there but especially to Katherine because she opened the doors to your great community. I didn’t expect this kind of welcoming at my arrival; it has been a wonderful trip so far. I expect to collaborate with Hart Centre as long as possible while I remain in this great country.”
Stacey was recognized for her professional development efforts during the pandemic. She noticed masks were intensifying communication barriers for some artists. She saw this as an opportunity to make a difference. She set out to learn sign language and to make her workshops more inclusive.
“It is something small that I can do that has made a huge difference to individuals during a really challenging time,” she said.
With the assistance of the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area, this fund was set up by two former board members and it encourages students to consider careers that exemplify the philosophy, aims, and joys of the H’art Centre in its work through accessible arts.
Learn more about the Brook Catherine Doseger Award here.