Lauranne Faubert-Guay, Mélanie Myers, and Karina Pawlikowski have been named as the three finalists for the prestigious Prix du CALQ – Artiste de l’année en Outaouais, a major distinction carrying a $15,000 bursary funded by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, as announced by Culture Outaouais.
The Bottom Line
- The Event: The 27th edition of the Culturiades gala will take place on November 19, 2026, at the Centre Wakefield La Pêche.
- The Nominees: Lauranne Faubert-Guay, Mélanie Myers, and Karina Pawlikowski are competing for the top $15,000 artist prize.
- Special Recognition: Textile artist Thoma Ewen will receive the Prix Hommage during the evening, honored for a career spanning over 50 years.
The Culturiades Reveal the 2026 Contenders
Culture Outaouais officially lifted the curtain on the nominees for the upcoming 27th annual Culturiades gala, setting the stage for one of the region’s most anticipated cultural celebrations. The announcement outlines a diverse cohort of creators, performers, and regional organizations vying for recognition across multiple competitive categories. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 17:30 on November 19 at the Centre Wakefield La Pêche, with Radio-Canada personality Jhade Montpetit serving as the evening’s host, as reported by Le Droit.
At the center of the selection is the flagship Prix du CALQ, which recognizes an artist or writer who stands out through the dynamism of their career and the excellence of their recent achievements. The winner of this top honor will take home a $15,000 prize.
Three Distinct Artistic Trajectories in Outaouais
The race for the top artist accolade highlights three very different disciplines and community engagements. Lauranne Faubert-Guay enters the finalist circle following her recognition as a young talent at the 2025 Culturiades and emerging personality of the year by the editorial team at Le Droit. Working near Montpellier in the Petite-Nation, the dancer and cultural entrepreneur founded the organization Devenir(s) corps, pursuing a transdisciplinary practice that bridges creation, research, and community involvement.
Mélanie Myers brings a visual arts focus to the category, navigating between drawing, sculpture, installation, and public art. Her body of work investigates territory and the human experience of space, inviting fresh perspectives on both natural and urban environments.
Rounding out the trio is Gatineau-based creator Karina Pawlikowski, whose multidisciplinary output spans literature, visual arts, and sound creation. Using writing, drawing, voice, and performance, Pawlikowski explores the intimate domestic sphere and human relations. Her nomination follows her tenure as the writer-in-residence for the City of Gatineau earlier in the year.
Honoring Lifetime Achievement and Regional Organizations
Beyond the primary artist category, Culture Outaouais confirmed several other foundational awards for the November gala. The Prix Hommage, presented by the City of Gatineau and determined prior to the event by the organization’s board of directors, will celebrate textile artist and exhibition curator Thoma Ewen. Operating the Moon Rain Centre in Val-des-Monts and having founded the International Textile Arts Triennial in Outaouais, Ewen is recognized for over half a century of contributions to contemporary tapestry.
In the organizational categories, the cinematic outfit Ciné Jonction, the Galerie UQO, and the theatrical company Voyageurs Immobiles—led by director Milena Buziak—are competing for the Organisme de l’année title. Meanwhile, emerging creators Marguerite Friend, Marie-Pier Lajoie, and Andy Eychenne are nominated for the Jeune talent prize directed at artists aged 35 and under.
| Category | Key Nominees / Recipients | Prize / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Prix du CALQ – Artiste de l’année | Lauranne Faubert-Guay, Mélanie Myers, Karina Pawlikowski | $15,000 bursary |
| Prix Hommage | Thoma Ewen | Presented by the City of Gatineau |
| Organisme de l’année | Ciné Jonction, Galerie UQO, Voyageurs Immobiles | Cultural enterprise recognition |
| Jeune talent | Marguerite Friend, Marie-Pier Lajoie, Andy Eychenne | Artists 35 and under |
Looking Forward to the November Gala
With more than $25,000 in prizes and bursaries slated for distribution by Culture Outaouais and its partners, the upcoming evening will also award creative residencies to literary translator Myriam Legault-Beauregard, the music collective QUATA QUATA, and visual artist Jonathan Fortier. As the community prepares for the November 19 gathering at Wakefield, attention remains fixed on which of the three finalists will claim the evening’s highest distinction.
