2023 Newcomer Arts Award Recipients

The Newcomer Arts Award is designed to support the future potential of newcomer artists working in a range of disciplines across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Congratulations to our 2023 award recipients! 

Chico Togni holds a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the São Paulo University in Brazil and was an Artist Research Fellow at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. His works have been exhibited internationally, most recently at Kunsthaus Dresden and Museum der Bildenden Kunst Leipzig. He moved to Toronto in 2022.
https://chicotogni.partial.gallery/

Faisal Karadsheh is a Jordanian-Palestinian multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. Karadsheh’s body of work has been presented in the form of paintings, sound, performance, printmaking, installations, video, XR and exhibitions in Jordan, Lebanon and Canada. He received his bachelor’s degree in Architectural and Visual Studies from U of T in 2022.
https://faisalkaradsheh.myportfolio.com/

Halime Akturk is a Kurdish documentary filmmaker, producer, co-founder of Cûdî Giuliano Films, and award winning former journalist from Turkey. After graduating from TMU's Film Studies program, Halime is currently directing and producing documentary projects funded by Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council.
https://www.instagram.com/halimeaktrk/

Lana Yuan is an artist living and working in Toronto. She has exhibited at the Art Museum at U of T, YYZ Artists' Outlet, Stackt Market Gallery Box, Center 3 Gallery, Ignite Gallery and Red Head Gallery. Between 2022 and 2023, she was awarded the 401 Career Launcher Prize.
https://www.lanajyuan.work/

Leila Refahi is an artist, researcher, and educator, based in Toronto, Canada. She uses painting, installation, and digital media to create participatory and social engagement art experiences. She has presented six solo exhibitions in Canada, Iran, and Finland and has participated in over 60 national and international group exhibitions.
www.leilarefahi.com

Vladimir Kanic is a multidisciplinary artist and environmental activist whose practice explores the creation of living art while providing hope and solution for global climate change. He studied science at the University of London and holds a BFA Degree in Interdisciplinary Arts from OCAD University.
https://vladimirkanic.com/