Mary Pratt Returns as Patron, Excellence in Visual Art Awards

Mary Pratt Returns as Patron, Excellence in Visual Art Awards

Deadline for EVA nominations: April 1, 2012

Well-known artist Mary Pratt is returning as the Patron of the Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVAs), which acknowledge the achievements of this province’s visual artists.

“It is easy to award prizes in sports. The winner is usually the first to cross the finish line, or the team that gets the most points. An athletic achievement is rewarded not only with medals and money. It is rewarded with popularity”, says Pratt. “We also have heroes in the movies and on stage. Almost none of this is enjoyed by visual artists. 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!”

Ms Pratt was the winner of the inaugural Long Haul Award for lifetime achievement in 2006, one of five EVA Awards, which will again be presented this spring.

All artists in the province are encouraged to apply for these awards. In addition to the Long Haul, categories are the Large Year Award (for an artist who has had an exceptional year), the Emerging Artist Award, 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 an 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, this year by artist Michael Pittman.

The deadline is fast approaching for the seventh annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards. Applications must be received or postmarked by 5 pm, April 1st. Application forms and full rules can be found here.

As the only awards program 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, and to arrange interviews, please contact Dave Andrews, Executive Director at 1-877-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com.