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The K. Valerie Connor Memorial Poetry Celebration is an annual province-wide literary contest run by The Leacock Museum. This celebration has been made possible due to the generous support of the Connor family.
Remembering Valerie Connor
The K. Valerie Connor Memorial Celebration honours one of our museum's cherished volunteers. Valerie Connor is best remembered as a local teacher and active community member, participating in groups such as the School Belles and the Orillia Fine Arts Association, and in her free time she was also a talented painter and poet. Val’s late husband Harry Connor created the Connor Prize to honour Valerie, whose love of the arts and people touched many lives.
This tribute to K. Valerie Connor by her husband Harry carries Val’s love for the arts into the community. Both Val and Harry are missed dearly.
Many of Val and Harry’s family and friends have joined us for this celebration. This artwork shown is a K. Valerie Connor original, gifted to Museum Coordinator Jen Martynyshyn. The piece is an untitled work depicting the Leacock Museum house and garden, painted in 2012.
Thank you for being a part of our celebration.
Calling all Poets and Songwriters
Currently open to all residents across Ontario, aspiring writers can submit up to three original poems to compete for this year's contest prizes. There is an entry fee for the Adult category of $10 for one submission or $25 for three. There is no entry fee for the Intermediate or Elementary category. A maximum of three poems is permitted to submit per entrant.
Submissions are open now, the deadline for final entries is May 8, 2023.
Winners will be announced on June 1, 2023.
This contest supports original works of poetry from Ontario residents in three age categories:
Elementary(Up to age 13) |
Intermediate(Ages 14 to 21)
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Adult(Over the age of 21)
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1st Prize: $75 2nd Prize: $50 3rd Prize: $25 |
1st Prize: $200 2nd Prize: $150 3rd Prize: $100 |
1st Prize: $750 2nd Prize: $500 3rd Prize: $250 |
*Guardian required |
*Guardian required for applicants under the age of 18 |
*Entry fee required at submission |
You're Invited
Celebrate our 2023 winners with us at the Valerie Connor Poetry Gala on June 17, 2023. This free event, hosted in the historic Leacock Museum living room is open to the public, giving all entrants exclusive access to visit current exhibits and form connections in the literary and arts communities.
This event will feature readings from our top winners in each category.
Meet the 2023 Judges
Bios coming soon!
2022 Winners
View our 2022 winning poems! Please note category titles and stipulations for submissions have changed for 2023.
Elementary Winners | ||||||
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Student Winners | ||||||
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Adult Winners | ||||||
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Questions?
Contact Brittany McDonald
Program and Events Supervisor
50 Museum Dr.
Orillia, ON L3V 7T9
T. 705-325-2196
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