The Yukon Prize
for Visual Arts

September 2023 Newsletter

Sep 29, 2023

Kaylyn Baker - 2023 winner

Kaylyn Baker, recipient of 2023 Yukon Prize

After months of anticipation, we’re pleased to announce that Kaylyn Baker is the recipient of the 2023 Yukon Prize. The Selkirk First Nation artist was one of six finalists vying for the $20,000 visual arts prize. Read more about Kaylyn, her work and what inspires her creations here. 

Yukon Prize Gala Show and Reception

Guests at the Yukon Prize Gala Show at the Yukon Arts Centre were welcomed into the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council by the the Kwanlin Dághàłaan K’e Dancers lead by Chief Sean Smith, followed by performances by Matthew Lien, and Bria Rose N’ Thorns.

Following the show, attendees enjoyed culinary creations by six chefs featuring local food inspired by the six finalists’ art, a Portrait Parlour for glam photos, door prizes and tours of the Finalists’ show. If you missed the gala, you can view the gala show below. The exciting moment where the recipient was announced begins at 1:16:32.

Kaylyn with Jurors, Julie Jai and David Trick
Kwanlin Dághàłaan K’e Dancers
Bria Rose N’ Thorns
Overview of Gala

Finalists’ Exhibition Opening

The Finalists’ Exhibition opened at the Yukon Arts Centre on Thursday, September 14th. The show will continue until November 17th and the public is welcome to cast an in-person ballot for the $3,000 Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice Award, to be awarded on November 9th from 5-7pm.
Mary Bradshaw, Director of Visual Arts at the Yukon Arts Centre, at the opening of the Yukon Prize Finalists' Exhibition. Photo by Mike Thomas.
Photo by Mike Thomas.
Photo by Mike Thomas.
Photo by Mike Thomas.

Yukon Prize Art Crawl presented by Air North

The Yukon Prize Art Crawl presented by Air North, Yukon’s Airline, took place on Friday, September 15th. With 19 participating locations, hundreds of art-lovers traversed throughout downtown Whitehorse to enjoy live music and art.

Thank you to Jazz Yukon for arranging the musical acts and to every business, organization and individual who participated in the crawl.

Musician Andy Slade at MacBride Museum during the Yukon Prize Art Crawl. Photo by Julie Jai
Visitors to Northern Cultural Expressions Society during the Yukon Prize Art Crawl. Photo by Julie Jai

Panels, presentations & workshops

The Yukon Prize Celebration Weekend featured panel discussions by the Yukon Prize jurors as well as Jeneen Frei Njootli and Michelle Lavallee, a presentation by Pennylane Shen of Dazed and Confucius and a workshop by Yukon Archives Artist in Residence, Tara Kolla. Thank you to our panelists, presenters, collaborators and attendees!

Tours of show by Yukon Prize finalists

The six finalists led two tours of the 2023 Finalists’ Exhibition on September 16th at the Yukon Arts Centre.
Artist Tour - Kaylyn
Omar Reyna explains his work to the tour crowd. Photo by Mike Thomas

Yukon Prize in the News

Upcoming Yukon Prize Events

Join the Yukon Prize at the Yukon Arts Centre on November 9th from 5-7pm for the launch of the 2023 Yukon Prize catalogue as well as the announcement of the  recipient of the $3,000 Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice Award.

Yukon Art Happenings

The Global Affairs Canada Visual Arts Collection has recently acquired work by 10 Yukon Indigenous artists which will be displayed at embassies and and buildings in more than 100 cities around the world. We were delighted to see several 2021 and 2023 Yukon Prize alumni on the list. Read more here.

Congrats to the artists: Sharon Vittrekwa, Dennis Shorty, Violet Gatensby, Karrie Brown, Krystle Silverfox, Vashti “Nénests’ík Mā” Etzel, Heather Dickson, Sho Sho “Belelige” Esquiro, Jackie Olson and Kaylyn Baker

Button blanket dancer by Dennis Shorty. Photo by Jennifer Fröhling.
Button blanket dancer by Dennis Shorty. Photo by Jennifer Fröhling.