Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Bursary
Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Bursary
- Traditional Fine Arts: Painting, drawing, illustration, print-making, sculpture, mixed media, collage, installation, etc.;
- Modern Fine Arts: photography, film, studio pottery and glass, book-binding, and poetry;
- Performing Fine Arts: theatre, music and dance;
- Digital Arts: graphic design, illustration, video, and digital art.
This bursary is offered as a lasting memorial tribute to the sparkling spirit and remarkable talent of Natalie Piper – who passed away in June 2026. It is designed to help those who love creativity, believe that the arts can be a life long passion, and a successful career. It helps to create opportunities as diverse as the arts themselves.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Applications should include the following component pieces:
- Completed application form.
- A copy of letter of acceptance into a post-secondary program.
- A short essay (less than 500 words) OR video (less than 5 minutes) introducing yourself and sharing your commitment to our local community, including how you support and make a difference in the lives of others.
- A portfolio of examples of your work (6 pieces minimum).
The deadline for applications is May 31st each year.
Past Winners
- The inaugural recipient will be selected in 2027.
Tribute to Natalie
Tribute to Natalie
Born with a congenital heart condition that required major surgeries throughout her life, Natalie refused to let her illness limit her. Raised in Scarborough, ON in a boisterous British-Italian family, she attended and graduated from OCAD with a focus on experimental painting. She travelled extensively before settling with family in London, England – where she met, then married Nigel Piper. She established herself as a graphic designer, becoming the first female digital illustrator for Getty Images, before starting her own art and design company, ART DIVISION UK.
Always one to challenge herself, Nat returned to school to complete her Masters in Printmaking from Maidstone University, staying on to teach printmaking, bookbinding, and life drawing. As a visual artist, she worked in mixed and digital media, with extensive exhibitions in North America and the U.K.
After a single visit to Prince Edward County in 2014, Natalie and Nigel bought a farmhouse sight unseen and returned to Canada. She quickly made herself part of the community, making her mark on the County in so many ways, but notably through her work - creating logos, designs, and layouts for multiple County businesses and organizations, including the Picton Library, Jazzfest, Art in the County, the Chamber Music Festival, the Picton Gazette, and many more.
Natalie wore her heart on her sleeve. She loved cooking for friends, oysters at the end of the day with a glass of orange wine, and the perfect antique to complete a room. She loved facetime calls with family overseas and dance parties in the kitchen. She loved book club, cats, and television with friends in winter. She loved any chance to connect - and remembered every face and name.
She loved beautiful things and made the world more so with her art and herself.
Support Natalie's Bursary Fund
Support Natalie's Bursary Fund
If you are interested in supporting the Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Bursary, you can:
- Donate online through CanadaHelps by selecting the fund from the drop down menu.
- Mail a cheque addressed to The County Foundation with "Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Bursary" in the memo.
Mailing address is 100 Picton Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0. - Send an E-Transfer to info@thecountyfoundation with "Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Bursary" in the memo.
