Lac La Biche… Lac La Biche County and Portage College will co-host one of Alberta’s foremost cultural events, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards in 2021.

A community celebration of the arts is being organized for June 12, 2021. The event’s theme will focus on the region’s status as a cultural crossroads overflowing with natural beauty, with more than 150 lakes and rivers flowing on either side of a continental divide.

“Our community is one of the most historic and diverse in Alberta,” said Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi. “Hosting this event will be a great honour for us, and a fantastic way to share the richness and vibrancy of the northeast region’s arts scene with the rest of the province.”

Distinguished Artist Awards gala will be held at Portage College. Previous recipients of the Distinguished Artist Award include Alex Janvier and Jane Ash Poitras, whose works are displayed in the College’s Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art & Artifacts.

“We’ve seen that this area can be truly inspiring to many who visit our region,” said Portage College President and CEO Nancy Broadbent. “We look forward to the ripple effect this event will have on art communities and especially our students in the art programs.”

As part of the celebration, the County and College will also be fundraising for an arts endowment fund, to support emerging artists and help build our community’s artistic legacy.

A webpage with more event information, including donation and sponsorship opportunities, will be updated as details are confirmed so please stay tuned.

- 30 -

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Alex Fuller, Communications, Lac La Biche County
Phone: 780-623-6817
E-mail: alex.fuller@laclabichecounty.com

Jaime Davies, Communications, Portage College
Phone: 780-623-6671
E-mail: jaime.davies@portagecollege.ca