2024 Adjudicators

Melanie Billark is an emerging, multi-disciplinary, Toronto based artist, educator, and public activator. Her body of work surrounds themes of social and political issues that concern her and affect principles of ecology. Her work strives to create awareness to various environmental issues within the public sphere and urban environments. Melanie's work comes in the form of sculpture, site-specific interventions, temporary and permanent public artworks, as well as
collaborative and community facing projects.

Melanie is a Sheridan College's Crafts and Design graduate, obtaining an Advanced Diploma in Crafts and Design in 2001 and in 2016, Melanie obtained her BFA from OCADU for Sculpture and Installation. Melanie's work has been shown in galleries, artist-run spaces, public spaces, and festivals across Canada and the US including spaces such as: Canadian Sculpture Centre, Pearson International Airport, Treefort Music Fest, and Luminato Festival. She has also participated in several artist residencies across Canada.

Melanie has won several bursaries and awards for her work including The Climate Arts Award in 2019, The OALA Ground Award in 2016, and The Masonic Foundation of Canada Bursary in 2011.