New works added to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection

Press Release

April 22, 2026

The Government of Yukon has announced the selection of 11 new works of art for inclusion in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection (YPAC).

The new acquisitions feature the work of artists Eugene Alfred, Misha Donohoe, Basia Hinton, Jane Isakson, Stephanie Luneta-Stevens, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Margret Njootli, Andy Pelletier, Dustin Sheldon, Maria Rose Sikyea and Michelle Williams.

The selected works reflect a range of media including painting, carving, sculpture and textile. Of the 11 artists, eight are having their artwork added to the collection for the first time. The artists come from various regions across the Yukon and from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The pieces were selected through the annual call for submissions process held by the Yukon government and the Friends of Yukon Permanent Art Collection. Selections were made from 134 submissions by 64 artists.

Images of all 11 works can be viewed on Yukon.ca with an exhibition planned for fall 2026. Art works from the YPAC can be seen in over 40 publicly-accessible locations throughout the Yukon.

The Government of Yukon is proud to celebrate the addition of these 11 remarkable works to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection. Each piece reflects the unique vision and talent of the artist and the strength and vitality of our territory’s incredible arts community. I extend my sincere congratulations to the artists whose work has been selected. Your creativity helps tell the story of who we are, where we come from and how we see the world. This growing collection stands as a testament to the depth of artistic excellence in our region and ensures these voices will continue to inspire Yukoners and visitors for generations to come.

Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Jen Gehmair

Every year, the task of choosing the pieces to collect involves some painful decisions, a testament to the quality of works being produced by Yukon artists and submitted for consideration. We thank every artist that applied this year for the privilege of being able to see your work and to read your statements about it. The Yukon is incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and diverse artistic community.

Friends of the Yukon Permanent Art Collection President Catherine Constable

First of all I’m very grateful to the arts, to the people who support and make space for artists. Mahsi to the Yukon Permanent Art collection for the work you do and for collecting ’quake’ from me when I was starting my art career over ten years ago. It’s an honour that ‘this ratification’ can now join your collection too. This work in particular is very dear to me and I’m grateful that it resonated with the selection committee and hope Yukoners and visitors can enjoy it for years to come.

Jeneen Frei Njootli

Quick facts

• Each year, the Government of Yukon acquires new art for the YPAC through an annual Call for Submissions. The call is open to artists in any discipline at any stage of their creative paths whose artwork has resonance to the North. The submission process allows for up to three original completed works per artist, suitable for display in a public building.
• Acquisitions are selected by the Friends of Yukon Permanent Art Collection (FOYPAC) through an arms-length adjudication process. FOYPAC is a non-profit society made up of artists, art professionals and community members dedicated to the continued growth and development of the collection.
• Works from the collection are shown in public areas of government buildings in Whitehorse, Dawson, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo and Watson Lake. They are also periodically displayed in special curated exhibitions produced by Economic Development, Tourism and Culture’s Arts Section or through loans to other institutions.
• The collection holds over 575 works of art by over 300 artists.
• The 2026–27 call for submissions will be announced this fall. The deadline for submissions will be January 31, 2027.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
tim.kucharuk@yukon.ca

Carolyn Moore
Communications, Economic Development, Tourism and Culture
867-336-0496
carolyn.moore@yukon.ca

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