Winnipeg Arts Council

2022 Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts

CELEBRATING THE ARTS & ARTISTS WINNIPEG ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE 2022 ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS RECOGNIZING PROMISE, EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY AND SUPPORT OF THE ARTS IN WINNIPEG

June 16th, 2022 — (WINNIPEG) The Annual Winnipeg Arts Council Awards were held on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the Fort Garry Hotel as part of the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts. This marks the first time since June 2019 that we were able to gather together once more to recognize and promote the arts, artists, and partnerships that make Winnipeg a centre for cultural achievement. This year marks the 15th edition of the Awards, which were celebrated virtually in 2021, and were put on pause in 2020.

The Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts and the Winnipeg Arts Council Awards were established in 2007 to celebrate the remarkable artists who make Winnipeg their home. For the past fifteen years, it has stayed faithful to its original purpose: to remind the entire city that we have something to celebrate—accomplishment of the highest order. The event has grown to become been an integral part of the arts community calendar, an opportunity to come together as a community and recognize the good fortune we have to live in a city of such artistic talents.

The Luncheon was hosted by Jim Agapito of CBC’s Recovering Filipino podcast and featured entertainment by the Gabi Ocejo Trio and a performance by Winnipeg Poet Laureate Duncan Mercredi. Mayor Brian Bowman was present to give remarks as well as a few awards.

Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners. We are thrilled that we are not only able to celebrate this talented and diverse group of artists, but we are also able to celebrate the previous year’s winners for whom no public celebration was held. They all contribute immensely to Winnipeg’s cultural vitality and unique artistic life. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication as they continue to enrich our city.

- Carol A. Phillips, Executive Director, Winnipeg Arts Council

Three awards were presented at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts.

RBC On the Rise Award

The RBC On the Rise Award recognizes the demonstrated promise of an emerging professional artist in any discipline.

WINNER: Taylor McArthur

Taylor McArthur (Pogé hąská wašté wiyá/Hummingbird Woman) is part of building the future of Indigenous digital art practice, while centering her work in traditional knowledge and ways of being.

Nominated by National Indigenous Media Coalition.

Sponsored by RBC Emerging Artist Project.

Making a Mark Award

The Making a Mark Award applauds an established professional artist in any discipline who receives critical recognition for excellence in their art practice in Winnipeg and beyond.

WINNER: Rhayne Vermette

With the critical success of her first feature film Ste. Anne, along with recently lauded solo and group shows, filmmaker, and artist Rhayne Vermette has established herself as an internationally recognized artist who merits study, support, and celebration.

Nominated by Mentoring Artists for Women's Art.

Sponsored by Gail Asper O.C, O.M, LL.D.

Making a Difference Award

The Making a Difference Award celebrates the contribution of an artist or arts administrator to the growth and development of the arts in Winnipeg.

WINNER: Susan Lamberd

For over ten years as the volunteer chair of Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba, Susan Lamberd has successfully advocated for and provided professional opportunities to artists and patrons who identify as Deaf and/or disabled.

Nominated by Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba.

Read more about the 2022 WAC Awards Winners

The Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts and Winnipeg Arts Council Awards 2022

  • A Black paper program with the words "The Mayor's Luncheon for the Arts & the Winnipeg Arts Council Awards" written in green and white rests on a white table cloth. Cutlery rests around the program.
  • Two people pose close together in a busy hall full of people. The person on the left is wearing a white patterned button-down shirt, black pants, a gold necklace, a black face mask, and black eyeglasses. The person on the right is wearing black pants, a patterned blue button-down shirt with a black shirt underneath, and a colourful necklace with the words "palisyoon" on it. Both are holding a drink in their hand.
  • Three musicians performing together. The person on the left is wearing a green hat, black sweater, and a necklace as they play the drums with a smile on their face. The person in the middle is playing the guitar while singing, wearing a light blue shirt with multiple coloured stripes on it. The person on the right is wearing a denim jacket, black shirt and a black hat. They are also playing the bass cello.
  • A musician wearing a black jacket and a bright green hat sits at a drumset playing the drums. In each corner of the image, there is a cut-off arm of the other musicians playing their instruments.
  • A close-up of an arm strumming an acoustic guitar with a microphone stand placed in front of it.
  • WAC merchandise is laid out flat on a white table. There are two black pullover sweaters with the words "The City is Red" printed on them in red. A t-shirt laid out on the table has the words "Winnipeg Arts Central" in white wrapped around an image of a teal radio tower.
  • Four female presenting friends stand shoulder to shoulder smiling at the camera in the hallway of the banquet room.
  • In the banquet room, three people stand together in a circle, chatting and laughing.
  • Three friends are standing shoulder to shoulder smiling at the camera. The person on the left is wearing a hot pink dress, the person in the middle is wearing a grey suit jacket with a blue shirt, and the person on the right is wearing a long-sleeved light green dress.
  • Four friends smiling and posing together, each with a drink in their hand.
  • A woman and a man stand beside each other while they smile at the camera. The woman has short light coloured hair with bangs and is wearing a beige button-up shirt, a brown plaid blazer, and a beaded necklace. The man has short grey hair, black-framed glasses, and is wearing a light blue button-up shirt and a dark blue plaid blazer.
  • Jim Agapito stands in front of a wooden podium speaking passionately into a black microphone. Behind him to the right there is a woman's arm and a large green banner with the words "Winnipeg Arts Council". The wall is beige and a gold sconce is reflecting a warm yellow light. Jim has short black hair and is wearing a black suit with a white square pattern and a white dress shirt. He is smiling and his left hand is raised as he speaks.
  • Two women are in focus in a room full of people seated at various tables. The woman on the right is wearing a white shirt, black round glasses, and blue, black, and white beaded dangling earrings. She has grey and brown hair and is clapping her hands. The woman on the left is wearing a black cardigan, blue button down shirt, glasses, and a large black watch. She has short brown hair and is clapping as well.
  • Multiple people are seated in a room. In focus is a man wearing a black suit jacket and black eyeglasses. His hair is dark and cropped short, and he is gazing ahead. The man beside him is wearing a tan suit jacket, white button-up shirt and dark blue tie and is looking down at his lap.
  • Jim Agapito stands at a wooden podium speaking into a microphone. The photo is taken from the side/behind Jim so we cannot see his face. He is wearing a black suit jacket with a white square design and a white shirt. His hair is short and black.

All photos by Darnell Collins.

Past Years