Town of Oakville looking to commission artist to create Community Spirit Awards

Are you a talented local artist ready to make a lasting impact? The Town of Oakville invites you to showcase your creativity by designing the Community Spirit Awards. This annual award program celebrates individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups that have demonstrated ongoing leadership, dedication, and involvement in Oakville through volunteer efforts or acts of kindness. 

Each year, one local artist is commissioned to create eight unique, one-of-a-kind artworks. Seven of these artworks will be presented to award recipients (with an extra piece produced in the event of a tie), and one will be added to the town’s permanent art collection. Each piece should uniquely reflect one of the six award categories.

Apply today!

Interested artists should complete the online application form by Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Selected artists will be contacted in May 2025. For any questions, please email public.art@oakville.ca.

Artist availability

The selected artist must be available to attend the celebration event in June for the presentation of the awards. In addition, they should be available for filming on a date to be determined for an artist video that will be showcased during the event.

Eligibility

Artists must be 18 years or older and either reside or have strong connections to Oakville—this includes those who live, work, or engage in activities in the Halton-GTA region. Artists who have previously created a Community Spirit Award are not eligible to apply.

Artwork requirements

Artworks must be one-of-a-kind and not reproductions. We will consider artworks created in any of the following mediums: wood, painting, drawing, fibre arts, ceramic, metal, and/or glass. If the artwork is on paper, it must be framed. Artwork dimensions should not exceed 12” x 12” x 12”. Digital art will not be accepted.

Artist selection

A selection committee will review applications and select one artist for 2026 and one for 2027. The selected artists will enter into a contract with the Town of Oakville. The selected artist will sign a contract with the Town of Oakville, and in consultation with the Artist Selection Committee, develop and design the awards. 

Past artists include:

• Donna Funnell – Fibre arts
• Soyeon Kim – Dioramas (pen and ink drawings, and watercolour on paper) 
• Thomas Suh – Pottery
• Joseph Bauman and Dayna Gedney – Wood bowls
• Emily Soden – Watercolour paintings
• Katie Fortier - Silk paintings
• Aiden Quinn – Paintings
• Kara Bruce – Limestone carvings
• Rafia Shafiq – Embroidery
• Cathy Lorraway – Oil paintings
• Maria-Elena Martoglio - Mosaics

Artist commission fee

The artist commissioning fee of $4,000 CAD includes all materials, artist fees and taxes for the creation of the eight awards. Payment will be made in two installments: 80 per cent up front to cover materials, with the remaining 20 per cent due upon delivery of the artworks. 

Visit the Community Spirit Awards page to learn more about the awards.