Announcing the 2025 Yukon Prize Longlist!
Images above (left to right) – Top row: Meshell Melvin, Joyce Majiski, Jeneen Frei Njoutli, Omar Reyna, Jane Isakson. Middle row: Megan (Guná) Jensen, Matthew Lien, Jackie Olson. Bottom row: Aubyn O’Grady, Randi Nelson, Jeffrey Langille, Helen O’Connor, Michel Gignac.
We are thrilled to introduce you to the 13 artists who have been longlisted for the $20,000 Yukon Prize for Visual Arts!
A huge thank you to our esteemed jury—Jean-François Bélisle, Sarah Moore Fillmore, and Dr. Heather Igloliorte—for their time and expertise in selecting this incredible group of artists from 60 applicants. Their thoughtful deliberation has highlighted some of the most outstanding visual artists in the Yukon today.
This year’s longlisted artists represent a diverse array of mediums that showcase the richness of Yukon’s visual arts, including photography, installation, fashion, painting, sculpture, textile art, sound art, video, papermaking, and community-based work.
View the Longlisted Artists’ Work!
Images above (left to right) – Top row: Meshell Melvin Collection of Portraits, 2020; Jane Isakson I Am Here, 2014; Michel Gignac Neighbourly, 2024; Jeffrey Langille Pond Life, 2024. Middle row: Aubyn O’Grady Dawson City League of Lady Wrestlers, 2013-2017; Jeneen Njootli fighting for the title not to be pending, 2020; Helen O’Connor Barco y Cielo, 2022; Randi Nelson Scwet.̓mín̓, 2024; Jackie Olsen The Land Speaks to Me, 2023. Bottom row: Matthew Lien Surroundings, 2017; Omar Reyna Perishable, 2019; Joyce Majiski Song of the Whale, 2020; and Megan Guná Jensen, Yeil, 2021.
You can view images and information about the artwork of all 13 longlisted artists on their artist pages on the Yukon Prize website – links below:
Michel Gignac, Whitehorse YT
Jane Isakson, Whitehorse YT
Megan (Guná) Jensen, of Dakhká Tlingit/Tagish Khwáan Ancestry from the Dahk’laweidi Clan, Whitehorse YT
Jeffrey Langille, Dawson YT
Matthew Lien, Whitehorse YT
Joyce Majiski, Whitehorse YT
Meshell Melvin, Whitehorse YT
Randi Nelson, Secwépemc artist from St’uxwtéws First Nation, Whitehorse YT
Jeneen Frei Njootli, Vuntut Gwitchin artist, Old Crow YT
Helen O’Connor, Whitehorse YT
Aubyn O’Grady, Dawson YT
Jackie Olson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Dawson YT
Omar Reyna, Whitehorse YT
We are grateful for all the artists who applied and shared their creativity, passion, and vision with us. Their contributions continue to strengthen and inspire the Yukon arts community.
Stay tuned! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be spotlighting each of the longlisted artists, sharing their stories, and showcasing their incredible work. Follow along on Instagram @yukonprize and visit our website to learn more!
Upcoming Events
March 31, 2025 – Announcement of the six finalists
September 11, 2025 – Finalists’ exhibition opens at Yukon Arts Centre
Yukon Prize Festival Weekend October 3-5, 2025!
Friday, October 3, 2025 – Yukon Prize Air North Art Crawl
Friday October 3, 2025 – Opening of exhibition of the longlisted artists work at Arts Underground
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – Free tours of the exhibition by the artists, panels and talks
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – Yukon Prize Celebration Evening – ticketed event: entertainment, announcement of the 2025 Yukon Prize Recipient, feast of finger food, celebration!
Sunday, October 5, 2025 – Studio tours – meet local artists and learn about their art practice
Let us know if you are interested in travelling to Whitehorse for the Festival Weekend!
Email us at info@yukonprize.ca or see the info on our website for visitors.
Sept – Nov 2025 – Yukon Prize Finalists’ Exhibition continues at Yukon Arts Centre.
November 2025 – Viewers’ Choice award winner to be announced
Put yourself in the picture
To make a charitable donation online to support Yukon art and artists through the Yukon Prize, please donate through our partner, the Yukon Arts Foundation, via Canada Helps.
You will receive a charitable donation receipt immediately by email from Canada Helps, identifying your support for the Yukon Prize for Visual Arts.
Thank you for supporting the Yukon arts community!