October 11, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calgary-based artist Athena Cooper awarded the inaugural Won Lee Prize<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Administered by the National accessArts Centre, it is the largest cash prize awarded to a Canadian artist living with a disability<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toronto<\/strong> \u2013 The National accessArts Centre (NaAC), Canada\u2019s largest disability arts organization with offices in Calgary and Toronto, is pleased to share that Calgary-based artist Athena Cooper has been awarded the inaugural Won Lee Prize. Announced at a ceremony that took place in Toronto on October 10, Ms. Cooper was selected by a national jury amongst a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. With support from the NaAC, the family of the late Won Lee, and the Endowment Incentives Program administered by the Government of Canada, the Won Lee Prize is the largest such prize dedicated to a Canadian artist living with a disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDisability is about difference. This is something that I really want to put forward with my art. I would not paint the way that I paint if I wasn\u2019t born with a disability. My perspective is informed by it.\u201d<\/p>Athena Cooper, recipient of the 2023 Won Lee Prize<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d like to congratulate Athena for being the inaugural recipient of the Won Lee Prize. The jury was inspired by her incredible perspective as an artist, and her dedication to her practice.\u201d<\/p>\nJS Ryu, President and CEO, National accessArts Centre<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Won Lee Prize celebrates the legacy of the late Canadian artist Won Lee, whose own life and artistic practice was affected by his disability. After his passing, his family and estate donated his permanent collection and a transformative gift to the National accessArts Centre, thereby creating the NaAC \/ Won Lee Endowment Fund and the Won Lee Prize. The NaAC\u2019s Toronto studio and gallery is also named the Won Lee Community Arts Hub in his honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n