The BC Achievement Foundation celebrated the six recipients of the First Nations Art Award at the 13th annual awards on November 21, 2019. The recipients were recognized for their artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art

“BC Achievement is honoured to showcase these artists whose respect for tradition directs and inspires their creative practices,” said BCAF chair Anne Giardini. “The 2019 awardees join 73 artists from the program’s past 13 years. Together, First Nations Art Award alumni ensure British Columbia is a place filled with innovation and wonder,” she added.

The 2020 celebration of the award program included a public showcase of the awardees’ art at The Roundhouse from November 18 – 21, 2019. BC Achievement thanks its venue partner, The Roundhouse, event partner, Denbigh Fine Art Services, media partners, The Georgia Straight and Global TV, Gallery Partners, Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery, and wine partner, Indigenous World Winery for their support of this exhibition and the work of BC Achievement.

Members of the 2019 jury include: Philip Gray, a past recipient and Tsimshian artist; Lou-ann Neel, Repatriation Specialist at the Royal BC Museum and an Mamalilikulla and Kwakwaka’wakw artist; and Connie Watts, Emily Carr University Aboriginal Program Associate Director and artist of Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry.

Special advisors to the jury include Emily Carr University Aboriginal Program Director, Brenda Crabtree, a member of the Spuzzum Band with both Nlaka’pamux and Sto:lo ancestry; and the UBC Museum of Anthropology’s Curator Emeritus, Bill McLennan.

The First Nations Art Award progra, is made possible through the generous support of the Vancouver-based Fulmer Foundation.