By Grace Martin
For some, the arts can be an escape; for others it’s a form of expression. Whatever it may be, MASC aims to celebrate and encourage young artists in their artistic journeys.
On May 8, the National Arts Centre held the 23rd annual MASC Arts Awards, hosted by Stefan Keyes. Keyes, now a CTV journalist, won the MASC drama award in 2000 and has been a board member since 2004.
“Everything that did not seem as though … I could have access to was available; the doors were open,” Keyes said during his speech about the impact winning the award had on his life.
Award winners receive a year-long scholarship and a mentorship with a local artist to pursue their art discipline.
Winners of 2024 MASC Arts Awards, honourable mentions and presenters on May 8, 2024. (Credit: Bill Juillette)
Jessica Ruano, MASC media coordinator, said the awards provide an opportunity to students they otherwise may not have access to.
“We’re bringing the arts to the people,” she said.
Ruano expressed the importance of everyone having access to these kinds of resources and why MASC aims to “represent a diversity of artists.”
The arts are not always something that is readily available to everyone. In school there is a larger emphasis on more practical learning such as mathematics and literacy – and not so much the creative kind.
Some may simply not have access to resources that would allow them to explore these disciplines.
“We want young people, regardless of their economic or cultural background, to know that we see them and we want them to be able to pursue their creative expression,” Ruano said.
Seraphina Dickinson-Heeroo, 13, is a Grade 8 student and this year’s winner of the drama award.
Seraphina Dickinson-Heeroo, winner of 2024 MASC drama award, gives speech as she receives her award. (Credit: Bill Juillette)
Drama became a recent interest for her just last year, after quitting soccer. She was looking to find an activity to have in addition to academics when she auditioned “on a whim” to a play her school was putting on called Adventures in Broadwayland – she got the lead.
Since then, her love for drama has continued and grown. “Once you’re a part of a show, everybody in that show is your family,” she said about what she loves most about the art. “It really brings people together.”
Leah Leblanc, 12, is in Grade 6 and won the music award.
Leah Leblanc, winner of 2024 MASC music award, with honorary patron, Jacqui Du Toit after receiving her award. (Credit: Bill Juillette)
She plays the recorder and ukulele which she picked up from school. “[Music] makes me feel like I belong,” she said, as she was accepting her award.
Leblanc’s dad, who also plays the recorder, seems to be her number one fan, supporter, and inspiration. She said when they found out she had won the award, they were both crying.
“My dad always tells me to go for my goals; I am a winner wherever I am.”
Ruano said MASC hopes these awards encourage students to pursue their dreams, whatever that may mean to them; arts related or not.
“We just want them to see the possibilities,” she said.
Dickinson-Heeroo said she plans to continue being involved in drama and production throughout high school and hopes to get a degree in film production. Leblanc, too, plans to keep up with her music and said she would like to be a music teacher in the future.
MASC celebrates artists throughout the year in other events like Awesome Arts which provides workshops for different ages across all art disciplines. They encourage the public to participate.
List of winners:
Heather Ripmeester: MASC Dance Award
Seraphina Dickinson-Heeroo: MASC Drama Award
DeJanelle Lovell: MASC Literary Arts Award
Leah Leblanc: MASC Music Award
Ayodeji Peters: MASC Visual Arts Award
Kaylee Fragnito: Molly Ellens Award
Alex Matthew: Jennifer Cayley Award
Lulia Hagos: Jan Andrews Literary Award
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