Testimonials

I am writing to add my support for the nomination of Katie Lorraine for the Toronto Arts Foundation Award.

I met Katie at an Art Battle competition that she had organized a few years ago at the Great Hall. This was just one of many such Art Battles that she helped organize that bring creative art to the broader community in a fun and exciting manner. Katie has also volunteered endless hours organizing community arts programs, and served as the Art Director and fabricated the decorations for the Community Arts and Wellness Festival. Her relentless advocacy for promoting arts includes donating over 1/3rd of her works over the past 25 years.

Katie deserves to be recognized for her longstanding and tireless advocacy for arts in Toronto.

Chris Glover - Ontario MPP for Spadina-Fort York

For the last 3 years Katie has been a wonderful part of bringing Art Battle to public audiences. Starting as a featured artist, she shared her amazing talents with Toronto, demonstrating the spirit and impressive skills of a working artist, captivating audiences with incredible creations. From there she stepped in as a live host, helping us share our creative community event, working both as a live-stream commentator and as master-of-ceremonies to large audiences. Katie always displayed intense enthusiasm and profound respect for the artists she was presenting, bringing the events to life with her signature charisma. In addition to this, Katie works with Art Battle to produce events in other cities, travelling and creating fantastic interactive art experiences in several locations that were directly inspired by Art Battle Toronto. We continue to work with Katie as an integral part of our community, and are very impressed by her work assisting other organizations to deliver art as both entertainment and education. She is very deserving of further recognition!

Chris Pemberton - Co-Founder of ArtBattle Toronto

Katie is and always has been a creative and resourceful leader starting many projects and collaborations from the ground up that have developed the arts and culture scene in Toronto. During this time she has also found innovative ways to make art accessible to everyone, of all ages, backgrounds, income, newcomers and enthusiasts alike, making it as inclusive as possible. She finds ways to mix the different types of arts, bringing a sense of community within the arts industry, inviting the public to share in these unique events, programs, spaces etc resulting in immersive experiences that delight all your senses.

Being a leader is not always easy, and Katie has been hustling for over 25 years making a name for herself, and always finding the time to uplift and showcase other artists. When she started out at 12 years of age selling all her pieces of art at her first exhibition she wished that she had support from other artists and the community, so that is why education and providing opportunities for emerging artists is very important to Katie. She is tireless in impacting the younger artists by donating countless hours of time, energy, resources and consulting so they can find a way to make a living in Toronto doing their art. She often volunteers her time, skills, expertise and beyond both behind the scenes and in the forefront to bring arts and culture to our beloved communities across our city.

Some of Katie's goals and objectives for Toronto is using art as a way to unite us and remind us that we are all creating life, living experiences together. This can span from larger community art displays, throughout the city (like murals; inside or outside, and interactive designs to enjoy the city) to more specific; bringing arts into the medical world. Katie has spent 4 years working with Dr. Mitch Abrams on aiding long term memory, mental well being, happiness and peace, for example. The results are speeding up healing for recovering at any age or background, and making end of life easier for medical professionals and patients, as well as their families. Its also coming at a critical time because a larger percentage of Toronto's population are becoming seniors, and our loved ones will directly benefit from these contributions. She is at the forefront of this research and practical application, we should want to support her and her colleagues to continue this ground breaking work.

Katie proves time and time again that art can change lives.

If you have ever had the pleasure of being in Katie's presence, you know that her spirit is always shining and uplifting others. She's very persuasive with her passion, commitment and artistic flair, that compliment her insanely talented abilities, so when she graces your project, you and whatever you set out to do, will also shine.

What a joy to have this artist in our city, paving the way. This award would celebrate someone who finally deserves to be celebrated! Katie wins : )

Jacelyn Holmes - Musician

Where to find KatieLorraineArt