Artist named to Alberta Order of Excellence

Alex Janvier of Cold Lake is no stranger to awards, accolades and honours for his remarkable, lifelong contribution to the arts. This past April, Janvier was named as one of the recipients of the 2010 Alberta Order of Excellence, the province‘s top honour.

Janvier, an outstanding visual artist, has numerous other awards to his name, including Honourary Doctor of Laws Degrees from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2008, and the Order of Canada in 2007.
Established in 1979, the AOE recognizes extraordinary Albertans who have not only succeeded exceptionally in their occupation but also excelled in their community.

“New members are taller, brighter lighthouses of our community,” said Angus Watt, Chair of the AOE Council.
Said Watt of Janvier’s selection: “Alex is clearly a famous, world-class artist, but what makes him stand out is the time he has invested with the boys and girls of the community.”

Janvier‘s artistic career was first nurtured at Blue Quills Residential School. He graduated from the Alberta College of Art with honours and taught art at the University of Alberta.  The abstract style of his paintings narrates the story of the Aboriginal people and their quest. Large in scale at 418 square metres, his best known work, titled  “Morning Star,” fills a dome at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Of this highly symbolic work, Janvier has said, “I am painting and I am also telling the story of the way things happened to me and to my tribe and to my people and it‘s a true story.”

Others of his large murals may be seen in public buildings in Strathcona County where he is currently painting a mural in the County Library.

Janvier, like the other recipients, were noted for their dedication as volunteers.

Said Watts, “The awards honour dedication to making a much better community so we can all share in the generosity and giving.”

 Janvier‘s work with young people was apparent at Blue Quills First Nations College celebration of the Indian Group of Seven in May 2010. His words of encouragement were specifically directed to the young people in attendance, “It is the young people who understand more than we do; we are strong and going to get stronger.”

Janvier will be joined by former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, Philip Currie, Janice McTighe, Louise Miller, Bill Mooney, Reza Nasseri, and Bob Steadward at the investiture ceremony for the Alberta Order of Excellence in Edmonton in October.

In total, 109 Albertans have been recognized in this manner. Their portraits hang on the walls of the Edmonton and Calgary Jubilee Auditoriums.