The eighth annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards will take place on May 24^th at the Rooms, St. John’s, Newfoundland. The EVA Awards are the only awards program solely dedicated to celebrating the visual arts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s EVA Awards jury reviewed submissions from across the province, representing a wide spectrum of artistic mediums and styles.

The Emerging Artist Award honors the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career. Sponsored in 2013 by Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. Prize: $1000

The Emerging Artist Award Shortlist

Audrey Hurd

Jonathan O’Dea

Michael Young

The Large Year Award celebrates a visual artist who has enjoyed an exceptional year, with at least one exhibition and critical recognition.  Sponsored in 2013 by Sheppard Case Architects.  Prize: $1000

The Large Year Award Shortlist

Audrey Feltham

Michael Flaherty

Ned Pratt

The Long Haul Award recognizes a substantial contribution to the visual culture of Newfoundland and Labrador by a senior artist.  Prize: $1000 and a Lifetime Membership for VANL-CARFAC. Sponsored in 2013 by The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art.

The Long Haul Award Shortlist

Lloyd Pretty

Colette Urban

The Kippy Goins Award – so named for the small pieces of wood one throws on a fire to “keep it going” – thanks an individual or organization whose efforts have helped to sustain and build the visual arts sector.  Prize: original artwork by Michael Pittmann.

The Kippy Goins Award Shortlist

Herb Brown

Community Youth Arts Program

Tina Dolter

The Critical Eye Award recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on an NL artist in any print or online publication worldwide. This award is sponsored by Emma Butler Gallery.  Prize: $1000.  There is no shortlist for the Critical Eye.  This year’s winner will be announced on May 24^th.

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Executive Director, Dave Andrews at vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com or 709-738-7303. A limited number of seats for the ceremony will be available to the public. To be put on the seating list, please contact the VANL office.

The EVA Awards are a Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador initiative.

ART=WORK: a public forum regarding arts workers in NL

Eastern Edge Gallery and VANL-CARFAC are joining forces to present a public forum to discuss the status of arts workers* in Newfoundland and Labrador with representation from across the sector.

TUESDAY APRIL 9  at   7PM   AT EASTERN EDGE GALLERY

We strongly believe in supporting those workers in our sector and adjacent sectors who have recently been affected by provincial budgetary cuts.

Specifically but not limited to those cuts experienced by The Rooms, but also Education, Health and other community sectors.

In our minds, thriving creative communities require continued support to all of these sectors combined.

Arts infrastructure is integral to present, preserve and share our province’s culture with the world. These cuts will no doubt add significant pressure to artists, arts workers and communities across our province.

Please join us and make your support heard for artists and arts workers this Tuesday!

Public statements will be heard from:

+ ARTISTS – Philippa Jones, Marlene Creates
+ ARTS WORKERS – Christina Parker (Christina Parker Gallery), Mary MacDonald (Eastern Edge Gallery)
+ ARTS ADVOCATES – VANL-CARFAC
+ LOCAL BUSINESS – Dave Hopley (Living Planet, Rocket Bakery, Pi)
+ ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

Followed by AN OPEN COMMUNITY FORUM moderated by Dave Lane from Happy City to hear your thoughts.

In addition, the evening will including a PERFORMANCE ART piece by April White entitled ASSEMBLE that features both local artists and arts workers at the beginning of the event.

The discussion will be recorded and delivered to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Hon. Terry French. The Minister will also be invited to attend and partake in this discussion.

*Arts workers include artists, educators, administrators, curators, arts businesses etc.

Questions may be directed to:

Mary MacDonald (Eastern Edge Gallery 709 739 1882, easternedgegallery@gmail.com)

Dave Andrews (VANL-CARFAC 709-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com)

Thank you.

For Immediate Release:

April 5^th, 2013:    Members of Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador have expressed dismay at the recent cuts in this year’s budget, which have had a dramatic impact on the visual arts sector across the province. Speaking on their behalf, VANL-CARFAC chair Gerri Lynn Mackey has said that the government has undervalued the arts and that such a shortsighted approach to arts funding will damage both the financial and cultural life of the province. “The cultural sector in Newfoundland and Labrador makes a substantial contribution to the economy annually, and is a draw for skilled labour and tourists alike.”

Addressing the cuts to The Rooms, members of VANL’s Advocacy committee say that the arts infrastructure of Newfoundland and Labrador is being dismantled by the cuts and the impact will affect rural populations just as much as it will St. John’s.  “Isolated communities count on the staff of The Rooms to train volunteers, offer advice, install art in public buildings, provide direction to community museums and archives, and much more. You can survive the amputation of a finger or toe, but when you cut the head off, the patient dies.”

Mackey calls on the government to consider the indirect damage and ongoing ripple effect that these cuts will have, not only to arts groups but to the general population: “artists wish to work with, not against, the government. With the oil industry arriving on the scene, people are changing, the culture is changing, and we must have a place to share how that is happening or we will lose ourselves, our identities.”

For more information, contact Dave Andrews at the VANL-CARFAC office, 709-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com

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*** Please note: The deadline for nominations for this year’s EVA awards has been extended to April 8^th 2013.  All artists in the province are encouraged to apply! ***

There are five categories for this year’s ceremony, including the Long Haul (for lifetime achievement) sponsored by The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art, the Large Year Award (for an artist who has had an exceptional year) sponsored by Sheppard Case Architects, the Emerging Artist Award sponsored by Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, the Kippy Goins Award, which recognizes an individual or organization who has helped the growth of the sector, and the Critical Eye Award, which recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on a NL artist in any print or online publication worldwide.

Cash prizes of $1000 are attached to the awards, except the Kippy Goins, whose recipient receives an original artwork by artist Michael Pittman

Applications must be received or postmarked by 5 pm, April 1st. Application forms and full rules can be found at http://vanl-carfac.com/index.php/eva-awards/eva-application-and-selection-process/

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. With previous winners from Grand Falls-Windsor, St. John’s, Corner Brook, Pouch Cove and Robinsons, this awards program recognizes excellence province-wide.

For more information about the EVA Awards, please contact Dave Andrews at 1-877-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com.

The Basket Includes:

A Small Quilt
A hand-made Chef’s apron
Food items and chocolate
A copy of VANL’s ‘An Exhibition in Print’
Anatomy of A Newfoundland and Labrador Artist T-shirt
A Teapot
Tea Cosy and Four Coasters
Box of Tea
Small framed painting
The Basket
A variety of Gift Certificates

Bids can be made at Ultramarine Fine Art Studio

Bidding closes on April 27th

100 Duckworth Street St John’s
(between the Hempware Store and Caines Grocery).

June Walker Wilson has her studio at Ultramarine and can be seen working on her latest oil paintings during opening hours which are  Wed to Sat 1pm to 5pm.  The gallery showcases the finished works of June Walker Wilson

Thank you June!

Position:           Sponsorship Coordinator, EVA Awards

VANL-CARFAC seeks to engage a professional with project management and fundraising experience acquired largely through working in the cultural fields.

Project:              Excellence in Visual Arts (EVA) Awards

Date of call:      October 25th 2012

Deadline:           November ^14th 2012.

Title:                 Sponsorship Coordinator, EVA Awards (SC)

Description: The SC will create a comprehensive sponsorship solicitation strategy including a database of contacts and a timeline for delivery of funds. The SC will work in conjunction with the EVA Committee to ensure that all appropriate businesses and individuals are included in this database. The SC will work independently to deliver the sponsorship target amounts, and must have their own workspace from which to provide the service. VANL-CARFAC will provide the SC with all necessary background information on the organization and the EVA Awards, as well as a breakdown of sponsorship categories and sponsor packages to be distributed to key candidates. The Board of Directors and EVA Committee may also serve as primary contact for key sponsors with whom they have a personal relationship.

All work will be performed under the direction of the Board of Directors but under the direct supervision of the EVA Awards Committee and Executive Director.

Qualifications:   Applicants must hold a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, have a minimum of 2 years work experience in the cultural or fundraising sector, or an appropriate combination of education and work experience. Applicants must also have;

§  Demonstrated knowledge of the cultural sector in the province.

§  Demonstrated ability to work under a volunteer board or committee.

§  Effective oral and written communication skills.

§  Demonstrated experience in fundraising.

§  Strong organizational skills and the ability to work with a high level of independence; ability to balance competing priorities and exercise good judgment.

§ Computer skills, time management skills and a positive attitude are essential.

Evaluation:    Applicants must submit a cover letter, an up-to-date resume and three professional references. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted by the Hiring Committee.

Project Timeline:  Hours of work are to be determined by the SC according to the needs of the sponsorship campaign. Candidate must have a flexible work schedule.

Start Date:       November 15^th, 2012

End Date:        May 31, 2013

Resources: Access to all VANL-CARFAC informational resources. As a contract worker, the SC will be expected to have access to her/his own workspace, phone, computer, internet and email access.

Target: The SC is expected to raise no less than $9000 (including program ad sales, with a target amount of $15000 to be raised. Some in-kind sponsorships may be considered to count toward the total amount raised but must be cleared in advance with the EVA Committee.  The SC will be required to assist the EVA committee and Executive Director in the organization of the annual EVA promotional reception.

Remuneration:  Contract awarding lump sum/professional fees @ $3000, an initial sum ($500) payable upon signing of contract, two subsequent payments ($750) based on reaching specific, monetary goals to be set by the EVA committee, and a final installment ($1000) payable upon receipt of the SC’s final report following the 2013 EVA Awards. Incentive will be offered for exceeding the target amount.

Deadline: All applications should be received no later than November 8^th 2012. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Apply to:   vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com, with ‘Sponsorship Coordinator Application’ in the subject line.

For more information on the EVA Awards program, sponsorship categories and past sponsors of the awards, see the EVA Awards page of www.vanl-carfac.com.

* click to see larger image

Support VANL-CARFAC while sporting a guaranteed conversation piece!

VANL-CARFAC is very happy to present our new Anatomy of a Newfoundland and Labrador Artist art print t-shirts.  Designed by Robin McGrath and Mavis Penney, the image is a playful take on Gray’s Anatomy–with the body parts labeled with the distinctive and often unusual terms drawn from Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich linguistic history.

Printed in black ink on high-quality, grey Gildan shirts.  All proceeds will go directly toward VANL-CARFAC programming and projects.

So come on!  Cover your puddick while putting a smile on your clapper!  Place your order here using the Paypal button below or contact the VANL-CARFAC office at vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com or toll-free by phone at 1-(877)-738-7303.

* click for larger image

T-shirt Sizes

Anatomy Tshirt (SM) $20.00 CAD Anatomy Tshirt (MED) $20.00 CAD Anatomy Tshirt (LG) $20.00 CAD Anatomy Tshirt (XL) $20.00 CAD