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June 29, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

CANTON
CANTON

Canton recreation supervisor wins national award

”
Canton Township Leisure #ModelMan, two award-winning
Services Recreation Supervisor She is a consummate professional leadership programs for youth
Laura Mortier has received the that remain in high demand at
prestigious 2023 Robert W. who lives and breathes the The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen
Crawford Young Professional benefits of parks and recreation. Center which receive continuous
Award from the National recognition for their success and
Recreation and Park Association innovation.
(NRPA). lives and breathes the benefits of 2019 Mortier received the During the past few years,
Mortier has now joined the parks and recreation. Laura is Michigan Recreation and Park Mortier has also deeply been
ranks of just over a dozen other quick to show initiative and is Association (mParks) New involved in serving on several
parks and recreation profession- passionate about helping others. Professional award for exhibit- mParks committees where she
als in the United States who have She has been a driving force in ing outstanding service and dedi- has leveraged her commitment
also received this same distin- the development of numerous cation to Canton Leisure to the mParks board and her pas-
guished NRPA award. The creative and advocacy programs Services, as well as to the mParks sion for the parks and recreation
Robert W. Crawford Young that have all gone on to be highly organization. In addition, Mortier field by contributing to the
Professional Award recognizes successful. Her creative, hands- has also served on the mParks advancement of mParks' initia-
the vision and dedication of indi- on approach and great leader- Board as a director at large. tives for growing diversity and
viduals who have tirelessly ship have earned her many acco- Since the age of 17, Mortier youth development, according to
worked to improve the quality of lades in our community, as well has worked for Canton Leisure a prepared press release.
life in America through parks as across the state of Michigan. Services, starting out as a junior Within the Canton community, Laura Mortier
and recreation and who will She truly epitomizes what a day camp counselor to advance Mortier also holds a seat on a
serve as examples for future parks and recreation profession- to a top leadership position as local charter school board, while administered by the National
leaders in continuing the recre- al exemplifies and is so deserv- Recreation Supervisor. Mortier also serving on the Canton Cares Certification Board and the
ation and park movement into ing of this national recognition.” currently oversees the opera- Committee, and the Canton National Recreation and Park
the 21st century, according to a The 2023 Robert W. Crawford tions and programming of The Commission for Culture, Arts, Association. This CPRP certifica-
prepared statement. Young Professional Award will B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen and Heritage. In addition, she is tion is granted to individuals
“To say that Laura's dedica- be presented to Mortier during Center for area youth ages 11-17, an active leader in her church on employed in the recreation, park
tion to the parks and recreation the NRPA Annual Conference in Canton Therapeutic Recreation the Peace and Justice resources, and leisure services
profession is exemplary, would Dallas this fall. programming, enrichment class- Committee, as well as a member professions who meet the eligi-
be putting it mildly,” said Jon Mortier has previously been es, and summer camps, in addi- of “Chicks for Charity,” a local bility requirements. Mortier, her
LaFever, Canton community honored as a new professional in tion to special events. During her women's charity. Mortier is also a husband Matt, and their daugh-
development director. “She is a the parks and recreation indus- tenure, she has also launched Certified Park and Recreation ter Matilda currently reside in
consummate professional who try in the state of Michigan. In Lead #LikeAGirl and Be a Professional (CPRP), which is Canton.
Juneteenth exhibit continues at Village Arts Factory gallery

The Fine Art Gallery at the believes creating art through director in the Midwest and in to the antique quality, peeling, career, using archival paper of
Village Arts Factory welcomes collage work, "allows the mind New York City, where Davis was and fading that comes over time, past work woven into his paint-
the featured works of local artist to ponder abstract art of natural the Creative Director in Davis worked for years to mas- ed fresco technique on canvas
Carl Davis in celebration of the landscapes, the legacy of slav- Advertising for The New York ter this painting method. This and wood, he said.
Juneteenth holiday entitled ery, the countless people who Times, he returned to his first included controlling wet plaster This special exhibit is free
"Juneteenth Series," which will suffered the cruelty of slavery, love of painting. He has exhibit- on various surfaces and then and open to the public during
be on public display until July and many of those who rose up ed his work in various galleries creating various textures using gallery hours from 9 a.m. until 6
20. and fought for freedom." throughout New York, Chicago, dry pigment and marble dust, p.m. Monday through -Friday as
The dichotomy of Davis said as a child he California, and Europe, with among other medium choices. well as during all public Village
Juneteenth, being seen as both a spent time learning to draw and various celebrities, organiza- Post-pandemic, Davis Arts Factory events, or by spe-
celebration of freedom as well paint at The Cincinnati Art tions, and companies collecting brought his passion along with cial appointment arranged via
as a somber remembrance, is Academy and later studied at his artwork. him as he relocated to Canton, email to
not lost on Carl Davis. In his The Cincinnati Art Museum. He During Carl Davis’ travels Michigan to reside and spend kevin.ryan@cantonmi.gov.
own words, "How we honor went on to earn his Bachelor of throughout southern Europe time with his family. Completing The Art Gallery at The
America's not-so-glorious past, is Fine Arts Degree from The Ohio and Northwest Africa, he the "Juneteenth Series" exhibit, Village Arts Factory is located at
to open your mind to the change State University. became enamored with the reli- represents the remembrance of 50755 Cherry Hill Road in
of how we think." Davis said he After a long career as an art gious-themed fresco art. Drawn his work throughout his art Canton.