Saskatchewan Foundation For the Arts Announces 2025 Endowment Award Recipients
Celebrating Excellence in Saskatchewan’s Artistic Community
REGINA — Feb. 6, 2026 — The Saskatchewan Foundation For the Arts (SFFA) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Endowment Awards, recognizing 12 Saskatchewan artists with annual awards of $5,000 each.
The awards support artists working in literary, multidisciplinary, performance, and visual arts disciplines and are administered by the SFFA Board of Trustees through dedicated endowment funds.
Recipients were selected by an independent jury of Saskatchewan arts professionals.
“The 2025 submissions reflect the diversity and vitality of Saskatchewan’s artistic community,” said Gursh Barnard, fractional CEO & Chair of the SFFA Board of Trustees. “Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to support both emerging and established artists whose work contributes to the province’s cultural legacy.”
Award recipients are presented in alphabetical order by artists’ last name.
2025 Endowment Award Recipients
CHAD COOMBS — Visual Arts Award (Shurniak Endowment Fund), Saskatoon, SK: To create a Polaroid-based art project reflecting personal recovery and transformation.
FLOYD FAVEL — Indigenous Multi-Media Language Arts Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund), Paynton, SK: To continue the creation of Sweet Cherry Wine, a multilingual writing and translation project with presentations in Poland and Canada.
MIGUEL FENRICH — Tony and Herb Rainbow Award (Non-Endowed Donor Advised Fund), Saskatoon, SK: To finish the second draft of the contemporary coming-of-age novel 273 Days and prepare it for querying by the end of 2026.
LAIRD GOULET — Indigenous Artist Award (Cameco Endowment), Prince Albert, SK: To explore Indigenous identity, memory, and the connection to land through abstract modernist painting.
ALEXA HAINSWORTH — Prairie Folk Arts/Craft Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund): To construct The Interdimensional Craft Council, an immersive theatrical installation at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery (June–Sept. 2026).
TONIA LAIRD — Indigenous Literary Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund), Saskatoon, SK: To complete Black Dog Reign, the second book in an Indigenous supernatural dystopian young adult trilogy.
DANICA LORER — Literary Award (Colleen and Allan Bailey Memorial Endowment Fund), Saskatoon, SK: To complete and revise the short story collection Out Loud, Softly for submission to publishers in fall 2026.
MARCUS MERASTY — Multidisciplinary LGBTQ2S+ Artist Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund), Regina, SK: To continue research and development of the solo dance work Golden Rez Dog at La Serre – Arts Vivint’s in Montreal.
VERA SALTZMAN — Female Arts Entrepreneur Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund), Fort Qu’Appelle, SK: To develop bookmaking skills, create 20 hand-bound editions of Birds on the Wing and produce 10 images for a gallery exhibition.
TARA DAWN SOLHEIM — Regina Artist Award (Harry Nick Kangles Endowment Fund), Regina, SK: To develop WonderWalker Reimagined during a residency at Can Serrat International Artist Residency in Spain and present excerpts locally in 2026–27.
MAIA STARK — Visual Arts Award for Women (Jane Turnbull Evans Fund), Saskatoon, SK: To create ceramic and human-hair sculptures exploring grief, illness, and familial care.
CINDY KELLEY SUNSHINE — Indigenous Traditional Craft Award (Dick & Jane Endowment Fund), Wadena, SK: To create a couture-inspired upcycled fashion collection titled Reclaimed Spirit – Wówačhiŋȟyaŋ (Resilient Spirit).
Award-supported projects will be developed and presented throughout 2026 and 2027.
Jury
Chair: Peter Sametz: Treasurer, Orchestras Canada; Past Treasurer, Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians; founding Treasurer, CADAC; founding member, Creative Kids Saskatchewan; former Associate Executive Director and program director, Saskatchewan Arts Board; former Saskatchewan delegate, Canadian Public Arts Funders.
Members:
Brian Gladwell, innovative furniture artist, North Battleford.
Cheryl L’Hirondelle, multidisciplinary media artist, Saskatoon, Métis/Cree heritage.
Cassidy McFadzean, poet and writer, Regina.
About the Saskatchewan Foundation For the Arts
The Saskatchewan Foundation For the Arts is dedicated to creating a legacy of financial support for Saskatchewan artists through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations.
Contact: Gursh Barnard, fractional CEO & Chair, Board of Trustees | 306-737-8980 | info@saskartsfoundation.com