Every year, the YVR Art Foundation awards a young First Nations artist, who is under the guidance of a mentor or is enrolled in an art school, with a $5000 prize and the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Vancouver International Airport for the duration of one year. 

This year's winners of the 2012 YVR Art Foundation Scholarship include Ariane Medley, Haida; Danielle Morsette, Sto:lo; Raven LeBlanc Pearson, Haida; Cody Lecoy, Okanagan; Cori Savard, Haida; and Nathan Wilson, Haisla. 

Nathan Wilson is a recent graduate from the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art in Terrace, BC. We have been carrying Nathan's work at the gallery for a few years now, and have seen him grow substantially as an artist. His most recent piece at the gallery is a beautiful hand-carved and painted red cedar mask with an Eagle and Hawk design. The mask measures 21" x 7 1/2" x 6" and is available at the gallery for $2,800.00 CAD. 

Nathan will receive his award, along with the other scholarship winners, at a ceremony on Friday, May 25 at 5:30 pm in the Graham Clarke Atrium in the Depatures Level of the Vancouver International Airport. Congratulations to all of the YVR Foundation winners of 2012!

Image: Nathan Wilson, red cedar mask with acrylic paint, Eagle and Hawk, 21" x 7 1/2" x 6".