The Emerging Artist Award is presented to an emerging St. Catharines artist working in any discipline to recognize accomplishments and future potential. Emerging Artists are establishing careers in their field and are working to become recognized professional artists. Award recipient receives $500 and a personalized award.
Tim Albas (he/him)
Tim Alblas is a visual artist and graphic designer living in St. Catharines, Ontario, recognized for his expressive realism paintings as well as his commercial design and illustration work. Having grown up in Niagara for most of his life and recently moving to Port Dalhousie with his wife and two children, he proudly calls Niagara home and continues to build on his art practice here.
Since a young age, Tim has always been creating art in some shape or form, which eventually led to a career in the creative field of design. However, it's only been in the last six years where he rediscovered his passion for painting and started thinking about it in a more professional lens.
Within that time, he has been honing his unique style of painting and exploring various types of subject matter. His paintings combine gestural brushwork with curious explorations of light, colour and texture, and subject matter often layered with personal stories, deeper meanings and symbolism.
Tim has exhibited in group exhibitions across the Niagara Region and Hamilton, has painted large scale murals and signage and has been a frequent artist collaborator for Niagara’s Cicada Music and Arts Festival, creating sculpture installations, illustrated posters and more. As an emerging artist in St. Catharines, he is committed to deepening his visual voice within the community and exploring new directions as an evolving artist.
Kosar Dakhilalian (she/her)
Kosar Dakhilalian is a director and playwright with a background in acting and roots in literature. Kosar holds a BA in English Literature (University of Isfahan) and an MA in Comparative Literature and Arts (Brock University). She has been a two-time art resident with Suitcase in Point Multi-arts Company where she developed and directed Ruby (2023), co-authored and co-directed Pomegranate and Feathers (2025), and directed Journey of Chance (2025). She is the co-creator and actor of The Table Knows Our Names (2026).
Along with Skye Rogers, Kosar is the co-founder of Tapestry Theatre, a collective that helps spark creative collaboration by gathering artists and communities in meaningful and imaginative storytelling experiences, and they have been working on their Homeward project since 2024. Kosar and Carl David Onofrio are the cofounders of Niagara Wander Collective, and they bring multi-arts site-specific workshops to Niagara. Kosar is also the Artistic Producer of Satori Dance Collective and teaches drama techniques for contemporary dance.
Kosar is an arts educator and has a passion for teaching. She has taught at the Department of Dramatic Arts, Brock University, and currently teaches workshops on drama-based practices in education at the Center for Pedagogical Innovation, Brock University. She has previously taught acting at Young People's Theatre (Toronto), Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, co-taught a theatre-making course at Willow Arts Community, facilitated workshops at Bridges Niagara, and taught at Femmes du Feu Creations circus camps.
Jadyn Deming (they/them)
Jadyn Deming is a pyrography artist based in St. Catharines, who specializes in stylized realism. Their artistic journey began in 2019 when they inherited their great-grandfather’s wood burner. Although they were always drawn to creativity in many forms, it was this tool, passed down through generations, that sparked their passion for pyrography.
Throughout their life, Jadyn has always felt a deep connection to art and the endless possibilities it offers for self expression. This love of creativity coupled with a desire to carry on their family’s artistic endeavours, led to Jadyn developing a unique style that blends the natural world with their own artistic vision. By merging earthly elements with imaginative themes, Jadyn creates pieces that unite the everyday with the extraordinary.
Their work highlights the often overlooked complexities of nature, encouraging viewers to pause and appreciate the subtle beauty in the world around them. For Jadyn, each piece is not just an artwork, but a moment of reflection and an invitation to connect more deeply with the world around us.
Jadyn’s art has been showcased in the 2024 “Phases” exhibit at St. Catharines City Hall, the “Under 100” exhibit at Brock University, and the 2025 “Square foot show” at the White Galleon. Their work was also awarded second place in the 2025 “Wonders Of Wood” competition.
EMERG
In just a year and a half since their formation, EMERG has achieved a level of success that is both rare and remarkable. Rising out of St. Catharines with ambition and clarity of purpose, the band has released a debut album, an EP, and two standalone singles; an extraordinary body of work within such a short span of time. Their breakout single, “Star Song,” marked a pivotal moment, earning coverage in local newspapers and securing a coveted front-page feature in English magazine CLASH. Publications across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have since featured the band, underscoring their growing international presence.
Founded by Colton Timperio and Mitchell Pearson, EMERG was built on a shared artistic vision and a disciplined commitment to excellence. Their live performances have quickly become a staple among city audiences, energizing local venues drawing consistent crowds, and inspiring a new wave of young people to engage with the city’s live music scene. In doing so, EMERG has not only built a following, but helped strengthen their community.
Beyond the stage, both Colton and Mitchell are deeply invested in giving back. Through music instruction, they mentor and teach children throughout the city, fostering the next generation of musicians and creatives. As they prepare to record their next record with Steve Kirstein of The Glorious Sons in St. Catharines, EMERG continues to demonstrate that their impact extends far beyond their years and well beyond the stage.
Rajshree Jena (she/her)
Based in the Niagara region, Rajshree Jena is a contemporary artist whose work serves as a vibrant bridge between the heritage of East India and the expansive landscapes of Canada. With a professional background in architecture, she transitioned to fine arts in 2020, bringing a disciplined eye for structure and spatial harmony to her canvases.
Her practice is deeply rooted in Indian folk art, which she uses as a modern medium to interpret the natural world. By blending traditional motifs with a contemporary aesthetic, she transforms familiar landscapes into intricate stories. Her work is known for its bold colours and decisive lines, creating a visual style that feels both energetic and peaceful.
Rajshree Jena’s compositions are celebrated for their detail. Each piece invites the viewer to look closer, discovering hidden layers and narratives woven into the foliage and horizons. Through her art, she shares a dual perspective—honoring the rich traditions of her roots while capturing the spirit of her new Canadian home.
Jenn Judson (she/her)
Jenn Judson is the creative force behind Paper Bananas, a Niagara-based initiative specializing in collage events, workshops and take-home kits. Serving her community in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Jenn fosters inclusive spaces wherein artists, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike can come together to explore collage in a low-pressure, creative environment.
Since graduating from Brock University's Visual Arts department back in 2016, Jenn has worn many hats in the art world. Whether curating a DIY show, being an active member of an artist collective, or sitting as vice president at her local artist run centre, her commitment to community engagement is always at the forefront. While her personal art practice remains bright, Jenn's progression into a predominantly facilitative role has been a welcomed shift. Jenn now spends her time hopping from venue to venue, spreading the joy of collage and broadening art-making opportunities for her community.
Jenn’s individual art practice spans collage, photography and installation, often incorporating others through collaboration. She brings that same creative energy into supporting others, committing her time to fostering connection, collaboration, and growth within her community’s creative practices. Through Paper Bananas, she goes beyond creating art; Jenn cultivates a dynamic space that encourages creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity, shaping the cultural landscape of Niagara one collage at a time.
Patience Kyebitondo (she/her)
Born the only girl among three brothers, Patience Kyebitondo’s relationship with fashion began early. By age five, she was altering garments to fit her small frame, using leftover fabric from her mother’s traditional wear. What started as necessity became intuition—an early understanding that clothing should be shaped for the body it serves.
Patience initially pursued a professional path in social work and social administration, building over a decade of experience in community development with a focus on women’s and girls’ social and health issues in marginalized communities. Her work cultivated empathy, leadership, and a commitment to impact that continues to guide her creative practice.
During the global pause of COVID-19, her long-held creative calling resurfaced. She completed an 18-month fashion design program, formally reclaiming a purpose that had quietly shaped her since childhood.
Today, Patience designs at the intersection of fashion, culture, and social consciousness. Each piece is guided by thoughtful craftsmanship, intentional fit, and storytelling, created to honour individuality and elevate how clothing is experienced, while empowering both the wearer and the broader community as she builds her emerging career in St. Catharines.
Emily Lumsden (she/her)
Emily Lumsden is a Niagara-based artist specializing in watercolour painting, with a particular focus on animals and flora found throughout Ontario. Her passion for art began at a young age through art classes and continued with studies in graphic design at Niagara College. In recent years, she has dedicated herself more intentionally to developing and refining her artistic practice. She also operates under the brand Flowered Visions, through which she sells her work at local markets. Art plays a deeply important role in her life and has helped her navigate and overcome difficult times.
Robert McAlpine (he/him)
Robert-William McAlpine is an abstract artist based in Niagara whose work is rooted in emotion, intuition, and honest self-expression. Painting for several years, he has developed a deeply personal artistic practice in which each piece reflects his inner world and serves as a visual expression of his mental health journey.
Although he had been creating art privately for many years, Robert-William began sharing his work publicly in September 2025 following encouragement from a fellow artist. Taking that step proved transformative. Since then, he has exhibited his artwork in eight exhibitions and has an additional twelve group and solo shows booked. The experience of sharing his work and connecting with viewers has been both affirming and deeply meaningful.
Through abstraction, Robert-William explores vulnerability, struggle, resilience, and growth. His process is intuitive and emotionally driven, allowing colour, texture, and movement to guide each work organically. Rather than striving for perfection or rigid definitions, he creates spaces where emotion can exist freely and honestly.
For Robert-William, painting is more than a creative outlet; it is a form of release, reflection, and healing. By sharing his art, he hopes to foster open conversations around mental health and remind others that they are not alone in their experiences.
Isabella Saranchuk (she/her)
Isabella Saranchuk is a community-focused creative based in St. Catharines and a recent graduate of Brock University, where she earned an Honours degree in Studio Art. Recognized for her academic and artistic achievements, she has received numerous bursaries and awards in support of her growing creative practice. Isabella currently works with Carousel Players, where she develops engaging educational art experiences for young audiences. Most recently, she constructed a 25-foot bird puppet for the participatory performance Birdsong.
In addition to her work in arts education, Isabella is a versatile multimedia artist whose large-scale murals can be found in Lincoln, Grimsby, and St. Catharines. Through vibrant acrylic paintings, she explores humour, joy, and wonder in everyday life, while her textile-based work examines feminist themes and connections to the matriarchs in her family. Isabella also collaborated with her father to write and illustrate the children’s book Furry Murray.
Committed to expanding her creative practice, Isabella has participated in a thematic arts residency at Gibraltar Point and completed a study abroad course in Spain. Dedicated to building strong community connections, she continues to create accessible, educational, and inspiring art experiences for audiences of all ages.
Adam Wiebe (he/him)
Adam Wiebe is an emerging artist and Brock University Studio Arts student based in St. Catharines. Growing up in the city, his creative practice was shaped by a lifelong passion for artistic experimentation and a desire to infuse his work with a sense of lightheartedness and play. Graduating from Brock University’s Honours Studio Arts program in 2026, Adam has participated in several juried exhibitions throughout the Niagara region and proposed and installed a sonic art exhibition at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.
In 2025, Adam worked as a summer employee with RAiN, where he developed a deep appreciation for the strength of St. Catharines’ artistic community and the work required to make art accessible to the public. Through his roles with both RAiN and the Brock MIW Arts Club, where he served as Vice President, Adam has helped lead and organize a number of Culture Days initiatives, including interactive arts programming and public sculpture tours throughout the downtown core.
As he continues to develop his diverse artistic practice, Adam hopes to expand his professional and educational experience while contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the city he proudly calls home.
Frankie Wood (he/him)
Frankie Wood is a musician, multimedia artist, and event coordinator based in the Niagara region. Active in the local arts community since 2015, Frankie has built a dynamic creative practice that spans music, visual art, and community-based cultural programming. As a guitarist, songwriter, and independent manager of his band Days On Parade, as well as his solo work, he has developed a strong presence within Niagara’s independent music scene.
In addition to his musical practice, Frankie creates visual artwork for album covers, merchandise, apparel, and promotional materials, bringing a cohesive artistic vision to his projects. He is also the co-organizer of Summer Freak Fest Niagara, an annual alternative music and arts festival presented at Niagara Artists Centre. The festival celebrates emerging and independent artists by connecting Niagara creatives with artists from across Canada and fostering opportunities for collaboration and exposure. Frankie further supports the music community through artist interviews and promotional content shared through social media platforms.
As a touring musician, Frankie has been a passionate ambassador for Niagara’s arts scene. Working alongside the local music label Routine Exploits, he helped organize several tours under the banner “Niagara Invasion,” showcasing the region as a vibrant and evolving centre for independent art and music. Through his creative work and community leadership, Frankie continues to contribute to the growth and visibility of Niagara’s cultural landscape.
