FOR RELEASE     #05-065
March 17, 2005

WHITEHORSE - Four local artists have been chosen to represent the Yukon at the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina from August 6 – 20.

The four are participating in the National Artist Program, where they will join emerging artists from across Canada to collaborate with professional Saskatchewan artists in a two-week creative residency that ends with a gala performance.

"These creative, talented young artists will represent Yukon well, and gain valuable experience in the process," Glenn Hart, acting tourism and culture minister said.

Integrating arts and culture with sport is an important part of each Canada Games. The Yukon government has partnered with NWT and Nunavut for the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse to showcase the people, the communities and the culture of the North.

"In 2007 our people, our communities, our artists and our culture will be on Canada’s national stage. The Yukon government is committed to making culture an integral part of the first-ever Canada Games held North of 60," Hart said.

The artists selected for Regina were among those who responded to a public call for proposals, and were selected with consultation from the Regina games office and Team Yukon.

The following four artists were selected:

Lauren Tuck is a radio broadcast journalist and currently works as an on air announcer/operator on CHON FM. Lauren specializes in feature documentaries and also has music and theatre experience.

Nick Robinson, a break dancer for four years, is a founding member of Groundwork Sessions, a performing break dance crew based in Whitehorse. Nick combines creativity and sport in this form of expression and divides his time between developing his own practice and instructing others.

Kara Alaric is a visual artist who has worked in a variety of forms, including painting, drawing, and traditional aboriginal craft taught by her grandmother.

Ryan Enns is completing a bachelor of music at the University of British Columbia, specializing in guitar performance. He has a rich and wide-ranging musical background, playing and touring with various bands featuring music from around the world. Ryan performed for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Iranian human rights activist Shirin Abadi at the Chan Centre in Vancouver in 2004.

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