Ottawa StoryTellers (OST) volunteer, Pat Holloway, was named “Volunteer of the Year” at Ottawa Festivals’ Momentum613 on Friday, November 24. This award, open to all members of Ottawa Festivals Network, comes with a cash prize of $1000 donated by Scotia Wealth Management.
Pat’s reaction to being named the winner? “I was astonished. I don’t volunteer for recognition; I do so to help Ottawa StoryTellers, so I hope this award will bring more attention to our important art form and to our organization.”
Pat has been a volunteer with Ottawa StoryTellers since 1994, and has served in virtually every volunteer capacity from setting up chairs for events to writing and producing shows.
For ten years, Pat was Chair of the Publicity and Marketing Committee, a position he created. He worked tirelessly to promote shows to the various media, designed brochures and posters, even toted banners to events, all to attract audiences to storytelling performances. As the stage manager of OST shows at the NAC’s 4th Stage, Pat was always efficient and professional.
He is a charming and humble person, quick to downplay his contributions while pointing out the work done by others. A retired teacher, his love of history shines through his work. He has written history-based stories for others to tell and scripts for the Spirit of the Times shows presented at the Billings Estate National Historical Site, as well as scripts for the Travelling Tent Shows presented at four local museums.
Recent health setbacks may have slowed Pat down a bit, but certainly have not stopped him from continuing to be an active board member, Chair of the Membership Committee, Chair of the program committee of our recent Grassroots Community Storytelling Festival, and even pitching in as a performer at OST’s Children’s Festival in early November.
Pat Holloway has been a key figure in Ottawa StoryTellers’ development from a small, informal group to a recognized and respected member of Ottawa’s performing arts community. | 
