2025 Yukon Prize Award Recipients
The Yukon Prize celebrates both artistic excellence and the voices of the public. On October 4th, Aubyn O’Grady was named the recipient of the $20,000 2025 Yukon Prize for Visual Arts, recognized for her playful, collaborative practice that continues to energize the Yukon arts community. Meshell Melvin received the $3,000 Yukon Prize Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice Award on October 30, following hundreds of votes cast at the Finalists’ Exhibition, celebrating the powerful connection audiences felt with her work.
Aubyn O’Grady | 2025 Yukon Prize for Visual Art
Aubyn O’Grady was named the recipient of the 2025 Yukon Prize for Visual Arts, recognizing a playful, collaborative practice that continues to energize and connect the Yukon arts community.
In her acceptance remarks, Aubyn spoke to the collective nature of making art in the North and the importance of recognition within community:
As anyone who makes artwork in the Yukon knows, we don’t do it alone. And it means a lot that the type of art that I do, that sometimes is not easy to explain and not really meant to travel, is recognized in this forum. To my fellow finalists, longlisted artists and all the other artists in the room – you are my idols, and I am so proud of all of us!
Aubyn shares more in interviews with CBC TV – Northbeat and CBC News.
Meshell Melvin | Yukon Prize Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice
Meshell Melvin was named the recipient of the $3,000 Yukon Prize Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice Award on October 30, 2025. Selected through hundreds of votes cast by visitors to the Yukon Prize Finalists’ Exhibition, the award reflects the strong connection audiences felt with her work.
Known for her vibrant use of colour and innovative approach to textiles and technology, Meshell’s practice celebrates the spirit, beauty, and lived experience of the Yukon—the place she calls home.
Reflecting on the recognition, Meshell shared:
“Oh, how I love my Yukon! I am so grateful to live and work in this incredible land and to be one of her artists. My adventure as a finalist for the Yukon Prize has been a highlight of my career. Thank you, Julie, David and all your prize team for creating this opportunity. To win the people’s choice award for this exhibition is a great honour. It touches my heart and fills me with gratitude. Thank you.”