VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

For immediate release:

ST. JOHN’S NL:  The sixteenth annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards took place on June 10^th at The Rooms in St. John’s. The EVA Awards 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

The Emerging Artist Award honors the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career.  The Emerging Artist Award 2022 went to artist Nasim Makaremi Nia

The Mary MacDonald Award (sponsored by Perfect Day Design & Advertising) is named to honour NL’s beloved arts administrator, curator and writer Mary MacDonald, who passed away in 2017.  This award, thanks an individual or organization whose efforts have helped to sustain and build the visual arts sector.  The winner of this year’s Mary MacDonald Award is First Light.  

The Critical Eye Award (sponsored by Christina Parker Gallery) celebrates the best piece of critical writing about Newfoundland art in any print or online publication worldwide. This year’s winner of the Critical Eye was Mireille Eagan, for her piece “Fail Better: A Curator’s approach” published in Future Possible: Art of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Endurance Award recognizes the consistent dedication and commitment of an artist to their professional practice, and to sustained creative output and performance.  This year’s winner of the Endurance Award was artist Susan Furneaux.

The Milestone Award (sponsored by Lat49 Architecture) 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. This year’s Milestone Award went to Nelson White.

VANL-CARFAC would like to thank all of this year’s sponsors: Lat49 Architecture, Perfect Day, Christina Parker Gallery, The Rooms, The Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador, Leyton Gallery of Fine Art, East Coast Quilt Co and Print 3

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Program Coordinator, Em Nowlan at vanlcarfac@gmail.com or 709-738-7303.

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

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VANL-CARFAC is looking for board members, to be elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 11^th 2022.   If you are a professional visual or media artist interested in raising the socioeconomic status of your fellow practicing artists and improving their working conditions through advocacy and education, we encourage you to put your name forward for consideration.  All Directors are elected for a term of two years and may be re-elected to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. Directors will be elected to a position by our members at our AGM.

VANL-CARFAC strives to be an inclusive space for all, and to accurately reflect the diversity of the various arts communities that we serve. We strongly encourage applications from artists who are members of marginalized and/or underserved/underrepresented communities, especially individuals who identify with: First Nations, Mi’kmaq, Metis, Innu or Inuit, or people of colour; diverse gender and sexual identities (including LGBTQ2+); people living with dis/ability, etc.

If you wish to put yourself forward for a board of directors’ position, please send an email stating that you want to stand for election to the board and submit a short biography 100-200 words max) by email no later than June 9^th 2022.  We are committed to equitable recruitment practices. In order to be considered for equity-based recruitment, please include a note in your email stating, “I’d like to be considered for recruitment equity.” While you are welcome to elaborate further, it is not required.

Please consider carefully whether you can fulfill the responsibilities set out below.  

Responsibilities and Duties of VANL-CARFAC Board Members

In order to be eligible for election, if you are not a current member, and you will be required to become a member under the requirements of VANL-CARFAC’s constitution.  

Service as a member of VANL-CARFAC’s Board of Directors requires time, dedication and commitment to the aims and purpose of the organization. For VANL-CARFAC to fulfill its unique role and reflect the views of its membership, Board members must participate fully in their roles and functions. The Directors of VANL-CARFAC are responsible for setting goals, defining organizational policies and priorities, and approving plans to achieve our goals.

VANL-CARFAC Board members are required to act in good faith and in the best interests of the organization, to formally declare any real or apparent conflicts of interest, to follow and enact VANL-CARFAC’s constitution and policies and to respect the confidentiality of sensitive information. 

Part of the due diligence required of Directors is attending Board meetings and keeping yourself informed about the affairs of VANL-CARFAC by reading the materials prepared for the meetings, newsletters, and e-mail bulletins. The board typically meets in-person twice yearly, with additional monthly board and committee teleconferences.  

For additional information on VANL-CARFAC and the role of Directors, please send questions to vanlcarfac@gmail.com