Following Sky Arts UK’s best-performing, non-scripted series of all time, Landscape Artist of the Year, the highly-anticipated Canadian adaptation, brings together 18 of the country’s best professional and amateur artists alongside 50 wildcard hopefuls to compete for a chance to be crowned Landscape Artist of the Year Canada (4 x 60’). Hosted by Sook-Yin Lee, the all new original series sees the artists have just four hours to create a landscape masterpiece. The winning artist will not only be crowned Landscape Artist of the Year Canada, but will also walk away with a $10,000 cash prize and will have their artwork on display at the prestigious McMichael Canadian Art Collection – home to some of Canada’s most iconic landscape art. The world broadcast premiere of Landscape Artist of the Year Canada airs Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT, starting February 16, exclusively on Makeful during the channel’s eight-week free preview event running from Feb. 3 to April 5 across Canada.
“The UK version of Landscape Artist of the Year has been a fan favourite on Makeful, so we decided to take that winning format and launch an original Canadian version for our audiences to enjoy,” said Jamie Schouela, President, Canadian Media. “The franchise perfectly fits Makeful’s mandate to feature series that both entertain and inspire the creativity in all of us.”
“At its heart, Landscape Artist of the Year Canada shines a light on our incredible artistic community and captures the natural beauty of our country through the eyes of these talented artists,” says Sook-Yin Lee. “I’m happy the show has found a home on Makeful, it’s a creative and inspiring series that I think will motivate viewers to pick up a paintbrush and find a new appreciation for our stunning landscape.”
Each episode of Landscape Artist of the Year Canada travels to breathtaking and truly Canadian backdrops, from Muskoka’s picturesque Lake Rousseau to a rural country farm in Barrie. Two winners from each location will go on to compete in the final. However, these artists aren’t the only ones trying to impress the judges. The competition also sees 50 more artists descend onto each location to try their luck as wildcards, and if any catch the judges’ eye, they too have a chance to compete in the final.
Alongside the host Sook-Yin Lee, the four-part series sees expert judges Marc Mayer, former Director of the National Gallery of Canada, and award-winning artist and educator, Joanne Tod, determine the winners of each location until only one artist remains.
Using their own material and style, the artists have just four hours to create their own rendition of the landscape before them. From oil paint to acrylic, collage work to mixed media, the artwork is as diverse as the artists themselves.
Landscape Artist of the Year Canada is produced by marblemedia in association with Blue Ant Media and CBC. Based on the UK format, it is distributed by Banijay Rights, and was originally produced by Storyvault Films. Following the world premiere on Makeful this February, CBC will also air the series later this year.
Meet the 18 chosen artists competing for the title of Canada’s Best Landscape Artist.
Episode 1 – Airing Sunday, Feb. 16 at 9pm ET/PT
Denise Antaya, Kingsville, ON
Laura Zerebeski, Vancouver, BC
Marissa Sweet, Oshawa, ON
Megan Hazen, Toronto, ON
Phil Irish, Elora, ON
Tosh Jeffrey, Toronto, ON
Episode 2 – Airing Sunday, Feb. 23 at 9pm ET/PT
Andrew Cheddie Sookrah, Toronto, ON
Anna Kutishcheva, Oakville, ON
Beckett Pura, York, ON
Colin Davis, North Bay, ON
Deborah Danelley, Winnipeg, MB
Ian McLean, Bright’s Grove, ON
Episode 3 – Airing Sunday, March 1 at 9pm ET/PT
Elzbieta Krawecka, Toronto, ON
Jeff Wilson, Vancouver, BC
Kylee Turunen, Port Alberni, BC
Mackenzie Brown, Edmonton, AB
Nadine Prada, Toronto, ON
Ron Kuwahara, Halifax, NS
