VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

• two-dimensional and framed works, approx. 11” x 17”

• three-dimensional works, approx. 1 ft. sq.

• a short written project description, no more than one (1) page in length, stating visual art medium, materials, approximate size and concept of the proposed final artwork
• a sketch or some form of visual representation of the concept
• the artist’s CV
• up to 10 images of past work, saved as JPEGs , to be sent via email (only images of past works will be accepted, actual artworks will not be considered). This should be accompanied by a numbered image list with image title, size and medium, and the JPEG titles should include the artist name and image number (e. Smith_01)

For 20 years the Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVAs) have recognized the achievements of visual artists and have celebrated the significant contribution the visual arts make to the vibrant and dynamic culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.  All artists and art lovers in the province are encouraged to submit their nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Visual Arts Awards!

There are six categories for this year’s celebrations:

the Tara Bryan Endurance Award for lifetime achievement; the Milestone Award, for an artist who has had an exceptional year; the Emerging Artist Award honours the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career; the Mary MacDonald Award, which recognizes an individual or organization who has helped the growth of the sector; the Excellence in Fine Craft Award acknowledges individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to the province’s craft culture in the past calendar year; and the Critical Eye Award, which recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on a Newfoundland and Labrador artist in any print or online publication worldwide.

Cash prizes of $2000 are attached to the awards, except the Mary MacDonald Award, whose recipient receives $1000 and an original work of art.

Applications must be received or postmarked by April 22nd. Application forms and full rules can be found here.

As the only awards program solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of this province’s visual artists, the EVA Awards have become an exciting part of the annual cultural activities in this province. This awards program recognizes artistic excellence province-wide.

For more information about the EVA Awards, please contact us at 1-877-738-7303 or vanlcarfac@gmail.com

For Immediate Release:  February 18th, 2026 — Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador (VANL-CARFAC) is pleased to announce Luca Apel as the recipient of the 2026 Pivotal Point Grant.

Luca Apel is a sculptor and installation artist based in St. John’s who works with scavenged and off-cut wood to create works inspired by physiology and his heritage as a Polish immigrant. The Pivotal Point grant is in support of a trip to the Carving Studio and Sculpture Centre in West Rutland, Vermont. This trip is meant to build on his current practice, with workshops on new techniques in wood sculpture and in carving in alabaster, limestone and marble.

“I’m compelled to push the boundaries of my technical abilities, while also realizing that this means overcoming substantial technical challenges.” Luca said.  “At a certain scale wood sculptures begin to exceed the size of available trees – especially here in Newfoundland—but joinery makes that possible.   The Carving Studio and Sculpture Centre is one of the few places where I can learn both advanced woodworking joinery and stone carving together.  I can create my own pieces with hands-on mentorship from a skilled professional and access to the sorts of specialized tools and safety equipment that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive.”

“Luca’s application articulated with exceptional clarity how pivotal this grant would be to the evolution of his practice,” said this year’s jury. “Having only recently transitioned from two-dimensional carving to freestanding wood sculpture, and now beginning to work in stone, he stands at a significant moment of growth. This opportunity offers an ideal context in which to both deepen and expand the skills he has so thoughtfully developed, while applying them within an entirely new medium. Luca’s work is already distinguished by its remarkable detail and expert craftsmanship, and the jury is eager to see the compelling directions his practice will take from here.”

For media enquiries, please contact VANL-CARFAC at vanlcarfac@gmail.com or (709)-738-7303

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