Photo: 2026 Award Recipient, Gigaemi Kukwits (Frank Baker)
Join us for the 2026 Polygon Award in First Nations Art Ceremony and Dinner
Art has the power to tell stories, carry knowledge, challenge perspectives and connect generations. For 20 years, the Polygon Award in First Nations Art has celebrated artists whose creativity and cultural expression enrich British Columbia and beyond.
This November, we’re marking that milestone in the best way possible: by celebrating four remarkable First Nations artists whose work reflects the depth, diversity and vitality of artistic practice in BC.
On November 24, join BC Achievement at The Roundhouse in Vancouver for an evening of art, storytelling, community and celebration.
Meet the 2026 recipients:
Gigaemi Kukwits (Frank Baker) | Award Recipient
With a remarkable artistic career spanning seven decades, Gigaemi Kukwits brings together his Capilano, Kwakwaka’wakw and Tlingit heritage with a lifetime of creative exploration. His vibrant paintings blend Northwest Coast design traditions with bold colour, expressive movement and contemporary influences. Inspired by travels around the world and apprenticeships with Indigenous artists, Gigaemi pushes artistic boundaries, creating work that is both deeply rooted in culture and refreshingly original.
Marika Swan | Award Recipient
Tla-o-qui-aht artist Marika Swan brings a powerful contemporary voice to traditional Northwest Coast art through her distinctive woodblock prints. Drawing on Nuu-chah-nulth teachings, motherhood and ancestral knowledge, her richly layered works explore identity, healing and the strength of women. Beyond her art, she is a passionate advocate for cultural revitalization, helping preserve and share Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge for future generations.
Sheldon Pierre Louis | Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist
Syilx artist Sheldon Pierre Louis receives this year’s emerging artist designation, recognizing his creative accomplishments and potential for continued artistic growth. Sheldon brings Indigenous storytelling into contemporary spaces through vibrant murals, paintings, digital art and traditional practices. From his beginnings as a youth muralist in Vernon to creative collaborations with Disney, his work celebrates cultural identity, community and connection.
Lyle Wilson | Award of Distinction
A highly respected Haisla artist, Lyle Wilson has made an extraordinary contribution to First Nations art over a distinguished career. His distinctive practice spans the carving of wood, ivory and bone; gold, silver copper and platinum metal engraving, painting, drawing, printmaking and writing – earning him recognition for work that is both deeply rooted in Haisla traditions and unmistakably contemporary. This year’s Award of Distinction celebrates Lyle’s enduring legacy.
Coming Together
At the Polygon Award ceremony, guests will have an opportunity to view the recipients’ work, hear their stories through specially produced films and join in recognizing their achievements.
The evening brings together First Nations artists, cultural leaders, collectors, galleries, arts professionals, community members and supporters for a celebration that is as much about connection as it is about recognition.
And with the award program celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year’s event offers a special opportunity to reflect on two decades of extraordinary artistic achievement and the many artists whose work has helped shape BC’s cultural landscape.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of First Nations art or discovering these artists for the first time, this is an opportunity to experience their work in a meaningful and memorable setting.
When you attend, you’re joining a community of people who value First Nations art and the artists who continue to shape its future.
Your participation also supports BC Achievement’s work in bringing these stories to audiences across the province.
Join us for an evening of exceptional art and inspiring stories. Twenty years of celebrating First Nations artistic excellence is something worth recognizing.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | 5:30–9:00 PM
The Roundhouse Exhibition Hall, Vancouver
Tickets: $150 per person, including a seated dinner.
The public can also enjoy the free combined exhibition featuring recipients of the Polygon Award in First Nations Art and Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design, November 17–24 at The Roundhouse.
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.