Celebrating Community: Looking Back at 2025
We can’t help but think back to the incredible energy, creativity and sense of community that filled Whitehorse last October’s Yukon Prize weekend.
From the buzz of the Art Crawl, with galleries and streets full of art lovers, to meeting artists in their studios and hearing from the 2025 jurors, there were so many moments that made the weekend special. We loved seeing young people and art students taking part and, of course, everyone gathering together for the Gala evening to celebrate Yukon’s artists and arts community.
As 2025 Yukon Prize recipient Aubyn O’Grady shared:
“I think this is really meaningful because as anyone who makes artwork in the Yukon knows, we don’t do it alone… To my fellow finalists, long listed artists and all the other artists in the room – you are my idols, and I am so proud of all of us!”
That sense of connection extended beyond the artists themselves. As visitor Lyn Gaby put it:
“We met so many inspiring artists, volunteers and residents who reinforced how important the arts are to the health of a community.”
Want to take a look back at the artists who made up the 2025 Yukon Prize? Explore the longlist, finalists and recipient on our website.
You can also watch the full Yukon Prize Gala on YouTube.
Save the Date: October 1-3, 2027
The next Yukon Prize Festival weekend is just a year away.
Yukon Prize Alumni News
2025 Yukon Prize finalist Jeneen Frei Njootli is exhibiting alongside Dënesųłinë́ artist Catherine Blackburn in Traces at The Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver. Traces is on view through March 14, 2027.
2025 Yukon Prize finalist Randi Nelson is featured in Always in Fashion, a major exhibition of Indigenous fashion at the Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto. The exhibition runs through January 3, 2027.
2025 Yukon Prize finalist and Viewers’ Choice winner Meshell Melvin is among the artists featured in the 2026–27 World of Threads Festival in Oakville, Ontario. The international festival runs through January 17, 2027.
2025 Yukon Prize recipient Aubyn O’Grady and 2025 finalist Jackie Olson travelled to Yellowknife in September to take part in the NWT Arts Centre Initiative’s Creative Futures speaker series.
🍁 Help Yukon Artists Reach Further
With the next Yukon Prize cycle underway, we’re seeking support to connect Yukon artists with arts professionals, and to create opportunities for artists to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Your gift makes this work possible and strengthens the Yukon’s vibrant arts community.
✔ Donate through our partner, the Yukon Arts Foundation via Canada Helps.
✔ Receive an instant charitable donation receipt by email
✔ Make an impact on the Yukon arts community
🙌🏽 Thank you for helping creativity take root in the North.