Manitoba Society of Artists
Open Juried Competition and Exhibition
BARBARA COOK ENDRES AWARD FOR FIRST PLACE
The Barbara Cook Endres Award for First Place was named in 2012 to honour Manitoba artist and long-time MSA member, Barb Endres, who was an unflagging supporter of the visual arts. Barb joined MSA in 1947 and served in various executive positions continuously until her retirement in 2008. She was designated an honorary member in 2006. Upon her passing in 2010, she left a bequest to MSA, which allows a bursary to promising artist students. There is no stipulation attached to this award, it is therefore at the jurors’ discretion, The Best of Show.
W. CLIFF PACKER MEMORIAL AWARD
The W. Cliff Packer Memorial Award was established in 2000 to honour and celebrate the life and work of Cliff Packer. The intent of the award is to pay homage to Cliff’s varied interests as an artist. The theme of the award is “for a work of art deserving of merit in the genre tradition”. Genre is a term used to describe paintings and other works of art that deal with an informal representation of everyday life. Genre is not limited to a particular medium, it pays particular attention to work involving the human figure, and tends to be representational rather than abstract in nature.
LYNN SISSONS WATERCOLOUR AWARD
The Lynn Sissons Watercolour Award was established by her family to honour long-time MSA member, Lynn Sissons, who passed away in 1985. The award is selected by the juror to be given to a work deserving of merit that demonstrates and promotes a traditional use of the medium. Therefore, the award favours works that are more representational than experimental in nature.
WILLIAM J. BIRTLES AWARD FOR SCULPTURE
The William J. Birtles Award for Sculpture was established in 2017. Born and raised in Manitoba, Bill Birtles taught in northern and city schools in Manitoba, as well as in the U.K. He was always keen to promote the importance of art in the communities where he lived. Bill was an accomplished artist whose drawings, paintings and sculpture are in private and public collections in North America and UK. He took an active role in the Manitoba Society of Artists for many years and was a regular exhibitor at the Manitoba Open Juried Competition & Exhibition. To pay tribute to his life as an artist and art educator his family has established the William J. Birtles Award for Sculpture.
JEAN WIENS AWARD FOR 1ST TIME OJCE EXHIBITOR
Established in 2021 by Cori Knight to honour her mother’s longtime commitment to the arts, and to encourage the participation of emerging artists in juried exhibits. this award recognizes an outstanding 1st time entry selected by the jury for an award of excellence.
BEV MORTON/WAYNE ARTHUR AWARD FOR MIXED MEDIA
This award was established by the family of Bev Morton in 2022 to honor the memory of Bev Morton and Wayne Arthur, to assist artists as they develop careers and validate their artistic practice, just as artists Bev Morton and Wayne Arthur shared their own artistic vision for so many years via their gallery with the creatives of Manitoba.
Artist Wayne Arthur and wife Bev Morton opened the Wayne Arthur Sculpture & Craft Gallery in 1995. After Wayne passed away, Bev moved the gallery to Winnipeg and established the Wayne Arthur Gallery 2002 – 2021, in memory of her late husband. Both Bev & Wayne were practicing visual artists, with Bev in textile art, and Wayne a sculptor.
As practicing artists, Bev and Wayne valued a milieu that validated the creative process and knowing how very important that was, they established that milieu and kept it thriving for many years. Always on the lookout for new talent, Bev was a mentor to many young and emerging Manitoba artists. Through the Wayne Arthur Gallery, Bev curated exhibits for a roster of more than 150 Manitoba artists working in painting, print-making, mixed media, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, glass and photography.
Honourable Mentions
