Jaymie Lathem’s commitment and talent as an arts and culture leader is second to none.
Her contributions have made a tremendous impact on the success and growth of North Bay’s artistic community.
Lathem studied drawing and painting at the Ontario College of Art and Design and the Alberta College of Art and Design and went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Nipissing University. Since then, she has centred her life around enriching the local arts scene and encouraging others to get involved.
Lathem has played an integral role in many different art events and initiatives, including the Downtown Gallery Hop, round-table discussions and providing public access to information sessions with organizations such as the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
In September of 2022, she played a major part in planning and coordinating Gathering Insight and Providing Direction: Accessibility in the Arts, a week-long event focused on inclusion. Discussions were held to gather insight on ways to improve accessibility in the arts sector, based on lived experience. This was a true example of Lathem’s commitment to bringing the community together and forward positive movements.
She was grateful and humbled to hear the news of her Community Builders award win in the Arts category.
“The work that I have put into our North Bay Nipissing Community, alongside numerous other local champions, has never been for recognition,” Lathem said. “Genuine progress cannot hinge on that. For me, it's always been about fostering a community that inspires us, provides support and ignites a drive for others to advocate for positive change.”
“I am inspired by her passion and skill for educating the community on current arts and culture events and opportunities. I believe Jaymie has been fundamental in creating a platform for our city’s unique arts and culture sector,” said Liz Lott, a North Bay photographer.
“Winning this award means that folks have really seen and felt the positive shifts that have come from years of consistently disrupting the status quo to carve new pathways,” Lathem shared. “It also means that we’re not done yet. It’s a reminder that anything worth complaining about is worth working on. There’s still a lot of advocating, listening and celebrating to do.”
Thanks to Lathem’s leadership and hard work, the North Bay arts and culture community has been led to greater heights.
“She more than deserves to be recognized for her hard work and leadership. Without Jaymie, the arts and culture community would not be what it is today,” said Alex Maeve Campbell, executive director at White Water Gallery.
“Thank you for seeing the work, the dedication, the progress and the long-term goals. Thank you for taking the time to recognize the uphill battles that many of us take on to create something better,” Lathem said.
The Arts award is presented to an individual or group that has helped make the artistic community stronger. They have championed an individual, an event, an idea, an ethic, or philosophy.
Congratulations, Jaymie!
This award is proudly sponsored by Redpath Canada Limited.
