VANL-CARFAC

November 30, 2010

(St. John’s, NL): Yesterday morning, Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador (VANL-CARFAC), announced a new award for visual art writers as part of the 2011 Excellence in Visual Art Awards (EVAs). This award, The Critical Eye Award, was initiated by an anonymous donor who wanted to encourage more critical writing about this province’s artists – a crucial part of growing a visual artists’ career.

By early afternoon, a second anonymous donor came forward to double the prize money from $500 to $1000, with a guaranteed commitment for four years. This puts the prize amount at the same level as the other EVA awards, which celebrate senior artists, established artists, emerging artists and art patrons in several different award categories.

“The immediate response from the second anonymous individual was an incredible surprise”, says VANL-CARFAC’s Executive Director, Sara Tilley. “This person told us that they felt this award filled a necessary gap in the visual arts sector, and they wanted us to congratulate the first anonymous donor for initiating it. The fact that both donors have committed to the award for four years is a sign that critical writing is viewed by the community as a necessary part of an artists’ growth and longevity – it helps artists secure exhibitions and grants, and increases their profile both within the art community and the general public. Both donors are hopeful that The Critical Eye Award will encourage more art criticism to be written about the wealth of visual art we are blessed with in this province.”

The Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVAs) are the province’s only awards program for visual artists, and are part of the programming for Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador. Applications for The Critical Eye Award will be accepted along with applications to the Large Year Award, Long Haul Award, Emerging Artist Award and Kippy Goins Award until April 1^st, 2011. The jury will be comprised of a member of the EVA Committee, a provincial visual arts professional and a national visual arts professional. The winners will be announced in a ceremony at The Rooms on May 27^th, 2011.

To be eligible for The Critical Eye Award, the writer may reside in any province of Canada or any country worldwide, as long as they have written about a Newfoundland Labrador artist within the preceding calendar year, from January 1 to December 31, in a recognized print or online publication.

For more information, contact VANL-CARFAC’s Program Coordinator Dave Andrews at 1-877-738-7303, or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com.

To read The Telegram article on the award in today’s paper, visit http://www.thetelegram.com/Arts—Life/Entertainment/2010-11-30/article-2004094/Anonymous-donor-doubles-award-for-critical-art-writing/1

VANL-CARFAC is looking for an editor for the spring/summer edition of the VANL-CARFAC News. The successful candidate will be responsible for the the generation/solicitation of content, editing and working with the communications committee on layout and design issues. Have ideas for articles and features that would be of interest to your fellow artists? Want to build up experience writing and editing for newsletters and journals? Want to get more involved with VANL?

If you’re energetic, self-motivated and have an interest in a volunteer editorial position (with a possibility of a paid contract for future editions), please contact Dave Andrews, Program Coordinator, at 1-877-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com.

Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that we are bringing our  Professional Development Workshops to Grand Falls-Windsor in August 2010 as part of the first year of Art Ex, a visual arts celebration for the Exploits Valley region. The workshops, Presenting Your Artwork Professionally, and Grant-Writing for Visual Artists, will be facilitated by visual artist Marlene Creates, and will be a combination of presentation and hands-on workshop.

Presenting Your Artwork Professionally deals with creating artist statements, professional CV’s, artwork documentation and submission packages for public galleries, artist-run centres and commercial dealers. Bring an artist statement and CV to be workshopped.

Grant-Writing for Visual Artists will give in-depth advice on developing applications for various funding sources. Bring a project description to be workshopped.

Both of these workshops are supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Presenting Your Artwork Professionally is also supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council.

Workshop Dates:

Presenting Your Artwork Professionally: Saturday August 7th, 2-5 pm, Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts.

Grant-Writing for Visual Artists: Sunday, August 8th, 2-5 pm, Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts.

Each workshop is $20 for members/$10 for student members, or $35/$15 for both workshops.

Non-members rates are $70 for one workshop/$85 for both, $25/$30 for students (includes 1-year membership in VANL-CARFAC).

Pre-register to save your spot in the workshop by using our secure Paypal links below. Contact Dave Andrews at vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com, or 1 (877) 738-7303 for more information.

About Art Ex

Art Ex 2010 is the inaugural year for an annual visual arts event, which will take place in the Exploits Valley region of central Newfoundland from August 6-8. The three day celebration of visual art will include activities such as youth and adult workshops, panel discussions, talks, interactive art interventions, public artworks and collaborative community based art events. The activities will occur concurrently in a number of municipalities within the region: incorporating both Grand Falls-Windsor, as well as more remote, rural locations to the north-east (Leading Tickles, Norris Arm) and south-west (Millertown, Buchans).

This year’s event will feature an Art Ex launch party with special guest speakers and entertainment, as well as several workshops and demonstrations with local artists and craftspersons from around the region. Art Historian, Dr. Gerard Curtis, will give an entertaining and informative talk on the history and theory of art, and visual artist Marlene Creates will lead two sessions (presented by VANL-CARFAC) entitled “Presenting Your Artwork Professionally” and “Grant-Writing for Visual Artists”. For further information and a complete listing of events, contact the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation at (709)489-8700 or edo@exploitsvalley.nf.ca

Single Workshop – Presenting Your Artwork Professionally

Artist Member $20.00 Student Member $10.00 Non-Member $70.00 Student Non-Member $25.00

Single Workshop – Grant Writing for Visual Artists

Artist Member $20.00 Student Member $10.00 Non-Member $70.00 Student Non-Member $25.00

ST. JOHN’S NL: The fifth annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards will take place on May 28^th at the Rooms, St. John’s, Newfoundland. The EVA Awards are the only awards program celebrating the visual culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. Says Patron of the Awards, Mary Pratt, “How valued is a prize given to a visual artist? Working for years in the proverbial garret – to be finally noticed? It is as much a blessing as a prize!”

This year’s EVA Awards jury reviewed submissions from across the province, representing a wide spectrum of artistic mediums and styles, from painting to sculpture, installation, conceptual art, fine craft, and printmaking. Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador extends its congratulations to all the shortlisted artists for this year’s awards.

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

The Large Year Award Shortlist

Luben Boykov, Flatrock

Michael Flaherty, St. John’s

Helen Gregory, St. John’s

The Emerging Artist Award honours the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career. Sponsored in 2010 by The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art. Prize: $1000

The Emerging Artist Award Shortlist

Jason Holley, Amherst Cove

Jason Penney, St. John’s

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.

There is no shortlist announced for the Long Haul Award. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on May 28^th.

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. Sponsored in 2010 by Drs. Angus and Jean Bruneau. Prize: original artwork by Will Gill.

There is no shortlist for this award; the winner will be announced on May 28^th.