Twelve artists have been named to the long list for the $20,000 Yukon Prize.

The longlisted artists are:

• Justin Apperley, Dawson City;

• Kaylyn Baker, Selkirk First Nation, residing in Whitehorse;

• Jackie Olson, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Dawson City;

• Cole Pauls, a Champagne and Aishihik and Tahltan First Nations citizen, residing in Vancouver;

• Jeffrey Langille, Dawson City;

• Nicole Rayburn, Dawson City;

• Robyn McLeod, Deh Gáh Got’ı̨ę First Nation;

• Omar Reyna, Whitehorse;

• Meshell Melvin, Whitehorse;

• Rosemary Scanlon, Whitehorse;

• Rebekah Miller, Dawson City; and

• Alainnah Whachell, Whitehorse.

The 12 artists on the long list were chosen by a jury of highly regarded arts professionals.

They are Dr. Heather Igloliorte, university research chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Arts at Montreal’s Concordia University; Michelle Jacques, head of exhibitions and collections/chief curator at Remai Modern in Saskatoon; and Sarah Milroy, chief curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and a former art critic for the Globe and Mail.

From the long list, a short list of six artists will be chosen in June.

They will be featured in a curated art show at the Yukon Arts Centre opening Sept. 14, launching a weekend of art adventures. Those include the Air North art crawl, seminars, panel discussions, guided art tours and the announcement of the recipient of the $20,000 prize.

Each of the five remaining artists will receive $3,000 each.

Yukoners and visitors will also have an opportunity to have their say. Visitors who view the show at the arts centre will be invited to vote for the Casino Mining Viewer’s Choice Award.

“So many people are unaware of the breadth of talent in our territory,” said Julie Jai, a co-founder of the Yukon Prize along with her spouse David Trick.

“We are grateful to the jurors for the expertise and care they have brought to their task.”

The Yukon Arts Foundation, the arts centre and a dedicated team of volunteers are partners in the Prize.