Activities and Events
Celebrations, activities and events will take place over a four day period; each day will offer community members the opportunity to attend awards ceremonies and register for workshops and other activities.
For the first time ever, two of Alberta's most prestigious arts celebrations are happening together. On June 10 and 11, 2022 Portage College and Lac La Biche County will host the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 2021 Distinguished Artist and 2022 Emerging Artist Awards.
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation celebrates Alberta’s rich cultural fabric by honouring its most accomplished artists and supporting professional artists in the early stages of their careers.
- We invite you to join us for these prestigious events.
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
The awards will be presented by Her Honour, The Honourable Salma Lakhani, Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor. Ceremonies will take place in the Portage College McGrane Theatre, Lac La Biche.
Purchase Tickets
The Alberta Lieutenant Governor Artists Award Gala Dinner is a rare opportunity to mix and mingle with some of Alberta’s accomplished artists. Be sure to reserve your tickets to this prestigious celebration.
2021 Distinguished Artist Cheryl Foggo
Canadian author, documentary film director, screenwriter and playwright. Foggo has received many awards for her works.
2021 Distinguished Artist Faye HeavyShield
A Kainai-Blood sculptor and installation artist. HeavyShield draws on her life on the Blood reservation and her Blackfoot ancestry for inspiration.
2021 Distinguished Artist Vicki Adams Willis
Born and raised in Calgary, Willis co-created Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and is recognized as a leader in the world of jazz.
Ten of Alberta’s up-and-coming artists will receive the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award to support and encourage their future works.
Recipients to be announced soon.
“Art Nature” by 2017 Distinguished Artist Indigenous painter Alex Janvier is the inspiration for the visual theme for the Lac la Biche 2022 Distinguished & Emerging Artist Awards event.
The theme of the arts awards is Confluences of Creation. Let your creativity flow as do the waters from the Northern Divide. As the waters flow away, let the people of the world converge in their place.
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards Gala Dinner is a rare opportunity to rub elbows with some of Alberta’s accomplished artists. Be sure to reserve your tickets to this prestigious celebration.
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation was established in 2003 and its first awards program for Distinguished Artists was launched in 2005. The Emerging Artist Awards program began in 2008.
Lac La Biche County
Lac La Biche County is a community of choice in northeastern Alberta. The region is a gateway to the incredible woods and waters of the Lakeland. The Lac La Biche Region Visitor Information Centre is your local source for information about our community and the region.
Portage College has been serving the region for over 50 years. The College boasts seven strategically located campuses throughout the region.
Area accommodations range from family campgrounds and cabins to modern hotel/motels. There are plenty options to fit your needs.
"At Canadian Natural, we are strongly committed to investing in the communities where we live and work. As members of the communities where we operate, Canadian Natural’s teams work together with our local stakeholders to understand their priorities and support those projects that have a direct impact on their quality of life and well-being. In this way, we can help local grassroots efforts that get right to the heart of the issues the communities care about, promoting long-term local economic growth and prosperity."
- Canadian Natural, Presenting Sponsor
Arts Awards News
June 16, 2021
Alberta's 2021 Distinguished Artists Announced
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation announced that artist Faye HeavyShield, writer and filmmaker Cheryl Foggo, and dance choreographer Vicki Adams Willis, have been selected to receive the 2021 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.
April 20, 2021
Distinguished Artist Award Event Moved to June 2022 - Combined with Emerging Artist Awards
First time in the Awards’ history to celebrate both the 2021 Distinguished Artists and the new 2022 Emerging Artists.
February 26, 2020
Lac La Biche County, Portage College partnering to host Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards in 2021
Prestigious Alberta arts showcase will have natural, cultural theme
February 25, 2020
Lac La Biche and Portage College hosts Distinguished Artist Awards
Lac La Biche County and Portage College are co-hosting the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards in June of 2021.
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.