Two of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s young artists are getting a boost from the local arts community this summer, as they ready to take their creative work to the next level at university this upcoming semester.
Molly Cummings and Lia Contino are this year’s recipients of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Scholarship for Art Education, which supports graduating high school students from NOTL pursuing post-secondary studies in the visual arts.
The scholarship was established in memory of Ian Butler, a founding member of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.
At a presentation held this summer, Natalie Early, board secretary of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, awarded each student a $200 cheque and a complimentary membership to the centre.
“It is our honour to support and encourage the next generation of creatives,” said Early.
“Both Lia and Molly have demonstrated excellence in arts, and a commitment to pursue a post-secondary art education. We are excited to see how they will shape the future of visual and theatrical design.”
Cummings, a graduate of Laura Secord Secondary School, is a multidisciplinary artist working in both visual and theatrical arts. Her piece “Detached” was recently featured in Brock University’s Drawn 2025 showcase.
She will begin studies this August at the National Theatre School of Canada in the production design and technical arts program, focusing on themes of femininity and mental health.
Contino graduated from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School and has pursued art from a young age through a range of in-school and extracurricular programs.
This fall, she will begin the Bachelor of Arts game design program at Brock University, aiming to apply her creativity and design skills to the gaming industry.
The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Scholarship was created in 2010 following Butler’s death. In 2018, the fund was formalized to award $200 annually to a student from one of three local high schools: A.N. Myer Secondary School, Laura Secord Secondary School and Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School. Recipients are selected from applications submitted by school staff.
