The Vaughan Recognizing Arts Vaughan Excellence (RAVE) Award honours those who contribute meaningfully to the arts in Vaughan. This year, Bunny Iskov, founder of The Ontario Poetry Society, has been recognized for her outstanding dedication. Bunny has served as a judge for the Vaughan Public Libraries' Early Harvest Celebration (an annual arts contest), is a former editor for the Outreach Connection newspaper, and has volunteered extensively with mental health programs.

They live in towers and basements:
preserved by chill and shadow
and if they sleep, they sleep
with one eye open and dream
of life after death.

These are the opening lines of Iskov's award-winning poem, "When the Dead Depart"—a moving work inspired by her son Howie, who has been mentally handicapped since childhood.

More recently, Bunny was honoured at Vaughan's inaugural Recognizing Arts Vaughan Excellence Awards. These awards highlight achievements by individuals, businesses, and organizations who enrich the local arts scene.

The Vaughan-based poet says she uses writing as a platform to combat mental health stigmas.
“Even though he's mute, Howie's a speaker in my poems,” Iskov said of her 36-year-old son. Much of Iskov's work explores how her son has lived with his condition growing up. She expresses gratitude for her supportive husband:

"My husband is my best friend," she says, "but now it is different because I also have 200 friends at the Ontario Poetry Society."

Congratulations, Bunny — from all your friends at The Ontario Poetry Society!