Contact: Martina Jedinak, Economic Development Coordinator, 905-747-6382, martina.jedinak@richmondhill.ca

Richmond Hill Congratulates Inaugural Winners of Creativity Connected Awards

RICHMOND HILL – On Tuesday, Richmond Hill presented the first Creativity Connected Awards to three innovative recipients at the 6th annual Creative Industries Symposium. The Creativity Connected Awards recognize individuals and companies in Richmond Hill that demonstrate excellence in the creative industries field.

Creative Laureate – Sean Cisterna, Mythic Productions Inc.

The Creative Laureate is awarded to a creative business that demonstrates leadership and capability in creative industries and has also invested in the industry’s growth. Sean is a Richmond Hill-based filmmaker who began his career directing commercials and on-air promos, eventually producing feature-length movies and documentaries, which include Kiss and Cry (2016), Full Out (2015) and 30 Ghosts (2013). He is a strong believer in giving back to the community and regularly films in locations across Richmond Hill and including local actors, crew and caterers. Sean is a frequent guest speaker in local high schools and a panellist at local film festivals across the region.

Emerging Creative Talent – Joanna Grace

The Emerging Creative Talent is awarded to a business or individual that exhibits leadership in originality and innovation in the creative industries field, while being considered emerging. Joanna has been a horn player with the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra for five years. She is the organizer of the Clearly Musical Home Concert series, which features musicians in a unique up-close musical experience.

Best Creative Innovation – Alex Karolyi, Shadowpath Theatre Productions

The Best Creative Innovation is awarded for a new innovation that results in business and community economic benefit. Alex has brought arts, culture and community connection to Richmond Hill since 2008 with Plays in Cafes – a performing arts initiative that encourages local playwrights and actors to bring theatre to every day spaces, allowing for a greater impact on the community. This past August, Plays in Cafes expanded into the Café Cruise that includes a walking tour in Richmond Hill’s downtown core, showcasing history, creative storytelling and commerce all in one experience.

Learn more about the winners of the Creativity Connected Awards on Richmond Hill Economic Development’s YouTube channel.

The Creativity Connected Awards were created to bring awareness to the tremendous talent and innovation within this economic sector in Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill’s recent Economic Development Strategy showed that almost half of the labour force in Richmond Hill is employed in creative occupations. These include IT, software designs, singer-songwriters, painters, writers and film makers and many others.

Applications for the 2017 Creativity Connected Awards are accepted until September 15, 2017. The 7th annual Creativity Connected Symposium will be Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Visit RichmondHill.ca/CCawards for more information.