The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026
The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026: A Call to Artists
“Painting the Spirit of the Land.Creating a Legacy for Generations.”
The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026 is open to the public. Watch award-winning Canadian artists paint live at Grant Notley Park. Admission is free, but registration is recommended.
Urban Art Studio 101 proudly presents the inaugural Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026, a prestigious national art competition celebrating the breathtaking beauty of Canada’s landscapes.
From the rugged coastlines, to the sweeping prairies, and majestic mountains, our nation’s land has long inspired artists to create timeless works of art. This event is more than a competition—it is an invitation to capture the spirit of Canada’s vast and varied terrains, beginning with Edmonton’s iconic River Valley.
We welcome both emerging and established artists from across the country to contribute to this living legacy and showcase their talent on a national stage.
The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026 Gala Evening
Celebrating Excellence. Honouring Canada’s Landscape Artists.
We are delighted to announce the Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026 Gala Evening, where we will celebrate the remarkable artists who participated in this year’s competition and recognize the outstanding achievements of our award recipients.
Following weeks of inspiring plein air painting, thoughtful evaluation, and collaboration among our distinguished panel of judges, we invite artists, supporters, and members of the community to join us for an evening dedicated to artistic excellence.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Urban Art Studio 101
10015 – 116 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta
The evening will feature:
- Award presentations for Emerging and Established Artists
- Recognition of all participating artists
- Remarks from our distinguished judges
- Celebration of this year’s Canadian Landscape Legacy
- Refreshments and an opportunity to connect with fellow artists and guests
We are honoured that our judges will be joining us to present the awards and celebrate the exceptional talent showcased throughout the competition.
Join us as we celebrate creativity, community, and the beauty of the Canadian landscape.
Painting the Spirit of the Land. Creating a Legacy for Generations.
Awards Are Ready – The Final Round Is Almost Here
The trophies, medals, and certificates for The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026 are now being prepared.
The Emerging Artists competition has been successfully completed, and we are excited for the Established Artists competition taking place on June 29 & 30, 2026.
After the final paintings are completed, our panel of judges will carefully evaluate all submissions and select the recipients of the Gold Legacy Award, Silver Legacy Award, and Bronze Legacy Award.
The competition will conclude with a special Awards Gala, where we will celebrate every participating artist and officially present the awards and certificates.
We look forward to sharing this memorable celebration with our artists, supporters, and community.
A Call to Artists
The Vision
The Canadian Landscape Legacy honors the time-honored tradition of plein air painting while embracing the diverse artistic practices of today. It is an unparalleled opportunity for artists to gain national exposure, connect with a vibrant community, and compete for recognition in a landmark cultural event.
Watch Art Come to Life
Join us at Grant Notley Park and experience Canadian landscapes being painted live by emerging and established artists.
Since some artists did not attend, update the results to reflect the artists who actually participated:
Emerging Artists Competition – Completed
Participating Artists:
- Deborah Malaba
- Sherry Richardson
- Aleksandra Yasinowski
- Sherry Richardson
- Rexell Livelo
- Mike Wyllie
- Racqel Kokaram
- Kaitlin Pylypa
The Emerging Artists Competition has successfully concluded. Over three inspiring days, talented artists from across Alberta and Canada gathered at Grant Notley Park to capture the beauty of Edmonton’s River Valley. Visitors enjoyed watching artists paint live while family members, friends, and community supporters cheered them on throughout the event.
Thank you to all participating artists, volunteers, judges, and visitors who helped make the inaugural Canadian Landscape Legacy a memorable success. We now look forward to welcoming our Established Artists on June 29–30, 2026.
ALEKSANDRA YASINOWSKI
Cyrena Sitter
Deborah Malaba
Frances Pelletier
Kaitlin Pylypa
Karen J Bishop
Kimberly Smith
Mike Wyllie
Patricia Ashley
Racqel Kokaram
Rexell Livelo
Sherry Richardson
Yvonne Valdemarca
Meet Our Esteemed Judges
We are honored to welcome a diverse panel of artists, educators, and creative professionals who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and artistic insight to this year’s competition. Their dedication to the arts and commitment to supporting emerging talent help make this event truly special.
Dr. Nina Paulovicova
Dr. Nina Paulovicova is an Associate Professor of History at Athabasca University, a feminist, and an activist whose research explores Eastern Europe, genocide, and identity politics. Her work examines historical contexts and challenges narratives that marginalize communities and promote exclusionary ideologies.
Alongside her academic and advocacy work, Nina is a mixed-media artist who uses creative expression to explore themes of power, place, memory, and belonging. Drawing inspiration from her background as a historian, she approaches art as both a refuge and a catalyst for dialogue. Through her work, she creates spaces where multiple identities, perspectives, and histories can coexist and engage in meaningful conversation.
Brian Greenall
Brian Greenall is a Classical Realist artist whose primary medium is oil painting, while also working in pastel, charcoal, and watercolour. Originally from England, Brian immigrated to Canada in 1977 and has maintained a lifelong passion for the visual arts.
His artistic journey began through photography, where he developed a deep appreciation for light, composition, and storytelling. Building on this foundation, he expanded into drawing and painting, eventually dedicating himself seriously to his artistic practice in 2019.
Today, Brian’s work focuses on capturing the world with accuracy, emotion, and thoughtful composition. His paintings reflect both the beauty of his subjects and the stories they represent. Brian has studied painting through courses and local studios, exhibited work at local art events, and has had paintings accepted into exhibitions including the Edmonton Art Gallery and the Night of Artists Big Art Exhibition. He is currently a member of the Night of Artists (NOA).
Leila Zolfalipour
Leila Zolfalipour is an Edmonton-based visual artist originally from Iran. Her multidisciplinary practice explores identity, belonging, and the connections between cultural heritage and the natural world through painting, sculpture, and digital media. Drawing inspiration from Persian motifs and weaving traditions, her work reimagines themes of memory, place, and cultural narrative.
Leila holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction from the University of Alberta and is a Juried Member of the Alberta Society of Artists. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has earned numerous accolades, including an Edmonton Arts Council Individual Grant, the Elizabeth Ann Burgess Award for Contemporary Arts, and the 2024 Alberta Culture Days People’s Choice Award. She has also contributed to the arts community as an assessor, consultant, and juror.
Emerging Artists
The Rising Landscape Artists of Canada
Showcasing exceptional emerging talent.
Emerging Artists
Victoria Rivard
Jim Dixon
Mike Wyllie
Aleksandra Yasinowski
Kyrsten Brooker
Rexell Livelo
Sherry Richardson
Racqel Kokaram
Wendy Lockie
Deborah MALABA
Established Artists
Masters of the Canadian Landscape
Featuring distinguished artists from across Canada.
Cyrena Sitter
Merlyn Moynagh
karen bishop
Yvonne Valdemarca
Kimberly Smith
Frances Pelletier
Judging Criteria
Artworks will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on the following factors:
• Artistic Excellence and Technical Skill
• Interpretation of the Landscape
• Originality and Artistic Vision
• Plein Air Achievement
• Overall Visual Impact
The judges will consider both artistic merit and the successful capture of the spirit of the landscape. All judging decisions are final.
The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026
Live Painting Competition Schedule
We are proud to announce the selected artists for The Canadian Landscape Legacy 2026. Join us as these talented artists create original landscape paintings live at Grant Notley Park in Edmonton.
Event Information
Meeting Location: Urban Art Studio 101
10015 116 Street NW #101, Edmonton, AB
Painting Location: Grant Notley Park
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Emerging Artists Competition
June 15–17, 2026
Monday, June 15
- Deborah Malaba
Tuesday, June 16
- Victoria Rivard
- Aleksandra Yasinowski
- Sherry Richardson
- Rexell Livelo
Wednesday, June 17
- Mike Wyllie
- Racqel Kokaram
- Kaitlin Pylypa
- Jim Dixon
Selected Emerging Artists
- Victoria Rivard
- Racqel Kokaram
- Aleksandra Yasinowski
- Deborah Malaba
- Sherry Richardson
- Rexell Livelo
- Mike Wyllie
- Jim Dixon
- Kaitlin Pylypa
Established Artists Competition
June 29–30, 2026
Monday, June 29
- Cyrena Sitter
- Karen J. Bishop
- Frances Pelletier
Tuesday, June 30
- Kimberly Smith
- Yvonne Valdemarca
- Merlyn Moynagh
Selected Established Artists
- Cyrena Sitter
- Karen J. Bishop
- Frances Pelletier
- Kimberly Smith
- Patricia Ashley
- Anita Nawrocki
- Yvonne Valdemarca
- Merlyn Moynagh
About the Event
The Canadian Landscape Legacy is a national celebration of Canadian art, creativity, and the natural beauty of our landscapes. Throughout the competition, selected artists will paint outdoors at Grant Notley Park, allowing visitors to experience the artistic process firsthand, connect with fellow art lovers, and celebrate Canada’s rich landscape tradition.
Everyone is welcome to attend, observe the artists at work, and be part of this exciting artistic journey. We gather at Urban Art Studio 101 before heading to the park together each morning.
We look forward to sharing these inspiring days of creativity with our community.
Competition Details
Categories
- Emerging Artists: For those in the early stages of their careers.
- Established Artists: For artists with significant experience and recognition.
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
- Finalist Notification: June 10, 2026
- Live Painting Sessions (Edmonton River Valley):
- Emerging Artists: June 15–21, 2026
- Established Artists: June 25–30, 2026
- Gala & Awards Ceremony: Early July 2026
Eligibility & Rules
- Residency: Open to all Canadian residents aged 18 and older.
- Medium: Oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, or mixed media.
- Originality: Artwork must be original and created solely by the artist.
- Live Painting: Finalists will complete a landscape “en plein air” in Edmonton’s River Valley within a 3-hour session.
- Artists must bring their own painting supplies and canvas.
- Easels, tables, and chairs will be provided.
- Recommended canvas size: around 18×24 inches (or a similar manageable size).
- Artists are encouraged to paint directly from the landscape—no photo references allowed during the session.
Awards & Recognition
Winners in each category will receive a prize package designed to advance their artistic careers, including:
- A prestigious plaque and certificate of achievement
- A comprehensive plein air supply package (A premium paint and brush package)
(Future editions of the Canadian Landscape Legacy aim to include cash prizes as the legacy grows.)
All artists retain full copyright to their work. By participating, artists grant Urban Art Studio 101 the right to use images of the artwork for promotional and archival purposes.
Join the Legacy
This is your chance to become part of history—the first annual Canadian Landscape Legacy. Together, let us honor the landscapes that define us as Canadians and inspire generations of artists to come.
Will you help shape this national legacy with your vision?
