Two FSJ artists win distinguished awards at Open Sky Exhibition

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – Two Fort St. John artists won distinguished awards at the 40th Annual Open Sky – Peace Liard Regional Art Exhibition.

Samantha Wigglesworth won a distinguished award in the Representational category for her piece titled Modest.

Modest is part of Wigglesworth’s exhibit known as Spectrum, which debuted at Peace Gallery North last summer.

The exhibit aims to showcase what people of different genders and sexualities can look like.

Eliza Massey-Stanford won the distinguished award in the three-dimensional category for her piece Beach Rocks.

Originally from Vancouver, Stanford took up both painting and photography in art school.

Artists who win distinguished awards receive $600 and will have their artwork featured in the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council’s 2023 calendar.

Winners of chosen awards at the exhibition will also have their artwork featured in the calendar.

Residents can still cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award of the exhibition until May 30th.

Those interested in viewing the virtual exhibition and voting can do so here.

View the full list of winners below:

Distinguished Award – Representational:

Modest, Samantha Wigglesworth, Fort St John

Distinguished Award – Three-Dimensional:

Beach Rocks, Eliza Massey-Stanford, Fort St John

Distinguished Award – Conceptual:

under consideration, kit fast, Dawson Creek

Distinguished Award – Photography

In Flight, Tracy Rondeau, Fort Nelson

Tony Onley Artists’ Project Scholarship Winner

Our Trauma Bond, Crystal Behn, Prince George

Chosen Awards

• Flicker of Diamonds, Ken Forest, Charlie Lake
• Titan Explorer, Don Pettit, Dawson Creek
• Stony Lake Shimmer, Alex Landon Richardson, Chetwynd
• I’ll Have What She’s Having, Donna Bozarth, Fort St John
• ē-kī-āhkwatic ōtehimin, Adrienne Greyeyes, Fort St John
• The Shack, Kim Ans, Fort St John
• Sown By Nature, Kathie Young, Grande Prairie
• Atlin Lake 7 – Confluence, Frances Obie, Fort St John
• Little Bee, Caily Oldershaw, Dawson Creek

Honorable Mentions

• Friendship, Margaret Mabius, Chetwynd
• Trick of the Light, Wayne Sawchuk, Rolla
• Bergeron through the looking glass, Tiffany Hetenyi, Taylor
• Pulse, Payge Fortier, Dawson Creek
• January Sunrise, Lorri Langevin, Pouce Coupe
• It’s Okay…but it’s not Okay, Margaret May, Fort St John
• Abandon Native Cabin Teslin Lake, Yukon, Joseph Johnston, Charlie Lake
• Grizzly Bear, Thunderbird, Sun Chief Totem, Curtis Dickie, Fort Nelson
• blue shadows, red fox, Gary Lowe, Dawson Creek
• BALANCE, Carol Liu, Tumbler Ridge