Left to right: Justin Apperley, Kaylyn Baker, Jeffrey Langille, Robyn McLeod, Meshell Melvin, Rebekah Miller, Jackie Olson, Cole Pauls, Nicole Rayburn, Omar Reyna, Rosemary Scanlon, Alainnah Whachell
Twelve artists are on the long list for the $20,000 Yukon Prize for Visual Arts.
The artists, announced Friday, are:
- Justin Apperley, Dawson City
- Jackie Olson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Dawson City
- Kaylyn Baker, Selkirk First Nation, based in Whitehorse
- Cole Pauls, Champagne and Aishihik Citizen and Tahltan, based in Vancouver
- Jeffrey Langille, Dawson City
- Nicole Rayburn, Dawson City
- Robyn McLeod, Deh Gáh Got’ı̨ę First Nation, residing in Ross River
- Omar Reyna, Whitehorse
- Meshell Melvin, Whitehorse
- Rosemary Scanlon, Whitehorse
- Rebekah Miller, Dawson City
- Alainnah Whachell, Whitehorse
Sixty-five Yukon artists applied for this year's prize, awarded every two years to recognize excellence by Yukon visual artists. It was co-founded by Julie Jai and David Trick, with the Yukon Arts Foundation and the Yukon Arts Centre.
"One of our goals is for Yukon artists to gain the national and international recognition they deserve," said Trick. "So many Yukon artists are creating astonishing art, and it deserves to be seen across the country and beyond."
The long list was chosen by a jury composed of Heather Igloliorte, a professor at Concordia University in Montreal; Michelle Jacques, chief curator at Remai Modern in Saskatoon; and Sarah Milroy, chief curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ont.
The jurors will select six finalists in June. They will exhibit their work in a group show at the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery in Whitehorse that opens Sept. 14. The winner will be announced at that time.
In addition to the top prize of $20,000, each of the five finalists receives $3,000.