VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

VANL-CARFAC renames Excellence in Visual Arts Endurance Award as Tara Bryan Endurance Award

April 13th , 2023

For immediate release: Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador announced today a change to the Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVA) program. As of  2023 the Endurance Award will be renamed the Tara Bryan Endurance Award. This award recognizes the consistent dedication and commitment of an artist to their professional practice and to sustained creative output and performances. The change is part of a new partnership with CARFAC National and Bryan’s family to commemorate Bryan’s contribution to visual arts in Newfoundland & Labrador. 

“As an artist and an advocate, Tara exemplified the spirit and purpose of the Endurance Award” said VANL-CARFAC Executive Director David Andrews. “And as a lifetime VANL member, a board member and as someone who provided so much time, friendship and support to us and to the community throughout her whole career, we’re really pleased to have an opportunity to incorporate her memory into VANL in a more permanent way.” 

The award will now be sponsored annually as a part of the Tara Bryan Legacy Fund.

“Thank you to VANL-CARFAC for renaming the Endurance Award in Tara’s name,” said Tara’s sister, Teresa Tidwell. “Our family is thrilled to establish the Tara Bryan Legacy Fund and to have the opportunity to sponsor the Endurance Award with VANL-CARFAC, an organization that Tara was so committed to. I am sure that Tara would have been “gobsmacked.” 

To view criteria for the Excellence in Visual Arts Award or to make a nomination to the Tara Bryan Endurance award or any of the EVA award, visit https://vanl-carfac.com/eva-awards/eva-application-and-selection-process/  Nominations are due May 1st 2023.

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For Immediate Release: (ST. JOHN’S, NL)  The nineteenth annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards will take place on June 6th at The Rooms, St. John’s, Newfoundland. The EVA Awards are the only awards program solely dedicated to celebrating the visual culture 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.  Below are the shortlists for four of the six awards – the winners of the Tara Bryan Endurance Award (Prize $2000 – Sponsored by the Tara Bryan Legacy Fund and presented in partnership with CARFAC National) and Mary MacDonald Award (Prize: $1000 and an artwork by Ginok Song — Sponsored by Perfect Day) will be announced at the EVA ceremony. 

The Emerging Artist Award honours the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career. Sponsored by Lat49 Architecture.  Prize: $2000

The Emerging Artist Award Shortlist

Ting Ting Chen

Tessa Graham

Katie Hardy

The Milestone Award celebrates a visual artist who has, in the last calendar year, achieved a significant milestone in their career, through exhibition or presentation, a breakthrough in their practice, or new and innovative exploration.   Prize: $2000

The Milestone Award Shortlist

Brian Amadi

Heidi Atter

Daze Jeffries

The Critical Eye Award recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on a NL artist in any print or online publication worldwide.  Sponsored by Christina Parker Gallery.  Prize: $2000. 

The Critical Eye Award Shortlist

Maggie Burton

Kate Lahey

Rhea Rollmann

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.  Sponsored by the College of the North Atlantic and the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador.  Prize: $2000. 

The Excellence in Fine Craft Award Shortlist

Billy Gauthier

Claire MacDonald

Anastasia Tiller

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact the VANL-CARFAC Office at vanlcarfac@gmail.com or 709-738-7303. 

The EVA Awards are a Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador (VANL-CARFAC) initiative.

The Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVAs) are here once again to celebrate the achievements of visual artists, and recognize 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 2025 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 May 2nd. 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