May 26 to June 11, 2026
Location: Art Space Connect Gallery, Neilson Park Creative Centre
Presented by: Neilson Park Creative Centre
NPCC Celebrates Pride Event: Friday, June 5, 2026, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Reception and Awards Ceremony: Friday, June 5, 2026, 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm
NPCC invited artists (16+ years of age) who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ community members to submit artworks to NPCC’s Be Creative Annual Juried Exhibition.
The theme for this year’s exhibition is Be Creative, Be You, Be All In! On display are artworks by over 80 artists.
Friday, June 5 was a fun-filled evening of events to celebrate Pride month which included free art activities, a drag show, demonstrations by members of our Resident Groups and cheering on the artists during the awards ceremony!
Cash prizes were awarded for First Prize $500, Second Prize $300, Third Prize $200, Four Honourable Mentions of $100 each at the awards ceremony on Friday, June 5.
First Prize $500
The Mouth Knows Before the Mind
Carmen Mahave
Silicone, Foam, Pigment, Wood, 30″x19″x22″, NFS.
Remarkable sculptural work, amazing realistic detail, colour and sheen. Fabulous three dimensional form involving identity, the body politic, contemplation and instinctual acceptance. Evokes the unique power and prowess of the sphinx in the realm of womanhood, agency and symbolism.
Second Prize $300
Dandy
Ben Benedict
Mixed Media – Acrylic on sticks, Wood, Stainless Steel and Silk, 40″x16″x10″, $1500.
Great simplicity and elegant execution, a very sophisticated piece.
Astonishing symbolism of the original use and word for faggots. ( the bundle of sticks) to burn heretics, homosexuals, witches etc.
Powerful and thought provoking tinged with heartbreak of cruelty and hatred in history.
Third Prize $200
Selfie
Timothy Birchard
Digital Print on Cotton Based Paper, 16.5″x20.5″x.5″, NFS.
Wonderful piece blending traditional drawing techniques with contemporary print technology. Delightful, self searching and shifting views of the self. Very impressive and incredibly poignant in terms of identity, time and the human condition.
Honourable Mention $100
Only Short Kings
Jai Sallay-Carrington
Red and White Stoneware Clay, Coloured Porcelain, Gold Lustre, 6.5″ x 3.5″ x 5.5″, $500.
Impactful, humorous, iconic and tender all at once. A thoughtful, intimate and provocative sculpture.
Honourable Mention $100
Target 1, (Gray Kisses Series)
Philippe Croteau
Graphite on Rag Paper, 26″x26″, NFS.
Great conceptual piece! Wonderful movement, mark making, and strong value contrast.
Honourable Mention $100
Embrace Life’s Uncertainty
Dennis Montford
Mixed Media (Acrylic Paint and collage) on Cradled Wood Panel, 24″x24″x1.5″, $1400.
Beautifully done mixed media artwork. Very personal in the overall design and remarkably universal in its statement. Impressive and relatable.
Honourable Mention $100
Piece by Piece
Mac Coates
Quilt Wall Hanging (Fibres/Textile), 15.25″x16.5″, $120.
Small but mighty. Powerful in statement, contemporary politics conveyed in a traditional approach to textiles. Art as record keeper, art as harbinger.
Congratulations to the Participating Artists!
Congratulations to our Be Creative artists! This year 83 artists are exhibiting in NPCC’s Art Space Connect Gallery.
Aduke Akinwumi, Daniella Alexander, Sameena Anis, Victory Anthony-Nted, Rey Armas, Ræ Azzopardi, Aiden Basso, Ben Benedict, Clare Benson, Timothy Birchard, Miles Blanco, Alana Boltwood, Zee Bowman, Kathryn Boyd, Joan Brennan, Isobel Budding, Oleg Buyanov, Bunderye, Sheila Cavanagh, Mac Coates, Miles Cohen, Madeline Corbier, Philippe Croteau, Charlie (Mouse) Doewich, Kola Edi, Rae Elgamal, Larry Esenerwa, Eddie Flatman, Claire Forsyth, Angela Francis, Ian Franks, John Gaitan, Aman Gill, Parastoo Haddadi, Nickolas Hadzis, Dougal M. Haggart, Alexzander Hoag, Sam Hoover, Mars Hoskin, Brennan Ivan, Anuj Jenveja, Evan K, Kai Kan, Lily Kappa Doto, Calvin Kellendonk, Dillon Lewchuk, Sean MacPherson, Rainier Magtalas, Carmen Mahave, Grace Martin-Chang, Ash Milne, Elliot Moesly, Farnaz Molaei, Dennis Montford, Anna Narday, Anna Nazarenko, Grace Nazari, Michelle Neilson, Ryan Nesbitt, Wasifa Noshin, Tara J Paterson, Artie Pincura O’Neil, Fraser Radford, Taylor Violet Ross, Winter Rowan, Jai Sallay-Carrington, Hande Simsek, Kat Singer, Safia Sodhi, Regis Souto, J.B Stefaniuk, Paul Stodolak, Emil Stoetzer, Ocean Streeter, Milton Tan, Daniel Tofach, Szende Tunderligeti, Sil Ualthum, V Vallieres, Katie Voss, Deyontha “Dyzuk” Watson, Selen Xu, and Kristin Young
Juror
Steve Rose
Steve Rose is a graduate from OCAD (BFA) and holds a master’s degree from the University of Windsor (MFA).
He has exhibited his work extensively and has a diverse and experienced background in art education.
In addition to his active independent studio practice, Steve enjoys lecturing on fine art, artistic movements and art history. Steve is constantly involved in mentoring artists in various creative collaborations and workshops.
His work is collected in private and corporate international collections.
Instagram: @steverose.ca
