Business, arts communities come together to honour artists

Artists and arts administrators weren’t the only ones who filled the RBC Convention Centre Tuesday for the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts, hosted by the Winnipeg Arts Council.

Among the sea of beaded necklaces, horn-rimmed glasses and other artsy attire were crisp suits worn by Winnipeg’s leading business and political figures, including Mayor Scott Gillingham himself.

“Truly, municipal politics and arts are the chocolate and peanut butter of our cultural milieu,” said event host and comedian Jane Testar. “This is where the action happens, this is where the deals are made, where the wheels of power turn, where the big-wigs mingle with art-house legends.”

The event opened with a dance — this time by Métis trio the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers — and like last year, Gillingham was coaxed into participating in the onstage spectacle. He hopped on one foot during the trio’s jig demonstration, before imploring the audience to rise to their feet and share in the moment.

“I’ve never jigged in my life,” said Gillingham to wide laughter during his speech later. “Today’s event is truly one of my favourite events here, because it recognizes something foundational to our identity. And this room knows that.”

Speeches were made by many others, poems read over the clattering of cutlery, but the event’s highlight was the presentation of the 2026 WAC Awards.

Painter Laura Lewis won the RBC On the Rise award, recognizing emerging artists. Her monumental paintings — pastel-like, impressionistic, precise — of women and gender-diverse subjects earned her a nomination by Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art and ultimately the highest mark in this category from WAC’s jurors.

“I’m originally from Halifax, but Winnipeg is my home. My painting practice would not exist without this community,” Lewis said.

Other nominees in this category included Mahlet Cuff, Bîstyek, Sarah Luby, Vi Houssin and Zachary Rushing.

The Making a Mark award, recognizing established professional artists, went to Grace Nickel. A ceramicist with a conceptual streak, Nickel — nominated by the Manitoba Craft Council — is considered a pillar of the local craft community and her work has exhibited in high places all over Canada and Asia. The artist credited her “passion for knowledge” as one of her driving forces, adding, “a brutal Mennonite work ethic doesn’t hurt either.”

‘Almost every significant milestone in my life has been shared with her. Her friendship and supporting presence was move into so much of my journey, and I know many of you here today feel her absence as completely as I do’

Other nominees in this category included Amber Epp, Andrina Turenne and Sonya Ballantyne.

Gaile Petursson-Hiley, nominated by the School of Contemporary Dancers, took home the Making a Difference award, celebrating artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Winnipeg. As a principal dancer with Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers, as founding director of Mouvement/Winnipeg Dance Projects and beyond, Petursson-Hiley has helped shape Winnipeg’s dance scene over five decades.

Petursson-Hiley described her win as “bittersweet” because she could not share the experience with her friend Stephanie Ballard, a prolific Winnipeg choreographer and dancer originally from California who died last September.

“Almost every significant milestone in my life has been shared with her. Her friendship and supporting presence was move into so much of my journey, and I know many of you here today feel her absence as completely as I do,” Petursson-Hiley said.

Other nominees in this category included Andrew Eastman, Arwen Helene, Fernando Dalayoan, Nick Kowalchuk, Siobhan Keely, Thom Sparling and Todd Drader.

With the 2026 Winnipeg municipal election in October, the event was a good chance for the mayor to ply his charms on business and arts professionals alike.

One of Testar’s running jokes was that she too was throwing in her hat for mayor.

“Who put that up there? That’s in poor taste,” said Testar as a mock campaign flyer for her flashed on the stage’s big screen while she was introducing the mayor.

“Let’s give it up for Jane, everybody,” said Gillingham, unruffled and smiling. “I’ll see you on the campaign trail.”

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