An Oshawa artist Villa Charities grant has been awarded to Polina Trofimova-Sylvestre, one of three young creatives from the Greater Toronto Area selected for the charity’s 2025 Young Artist Grant Program.
Villa Charities, a North York–based non-profit organization, awarded a total of $15,000 to support emerging artists whose work celebrates Italian culture. The program is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 30.
Trofimova-Sylvestre received funding for her children’s graphic novel, “Nonna’s Hidden Tales,” a story aimed at readers aged four to six. The book follows a shy young boy who discovers a collection of fairy tales in his nonna’s basement, helping him gain confidence and embrace storytelling. The project draws inspiration from Italian folklore and family traditions.
The other recipients include Julia D’Ascanio of Woodbridge, who received a grant for her upcoming EP “The Roots of the Fig Tree,” and Toronto-based filmmaker Massimo Russo, who was awarded funding for his short film “A440.” All three projects explore themes of Italian heritage, family, and cultural identity.
Villa Charities also gave an honourable mention to Toronto filmmaker John Cucchiella for his short film project.
The Young Artist Grant Program was created in 2023 to support emerging talent in music, literature, and film, with recipients selected by a panel of judges representing each discipline.
