A recent Canadian immigrant was surprised to take the top prize in the Prince Albert Winter Festival Art Show and Sale in 2026.
The Mann Art Gallery hosted the 50th Annual Winter Festival Art Show and Sale Awards and Opening Gala on Friday. Soheila Fallah was the winner of Best in Show for her mixed media piece “Pazhvāk.” The word means “echo” in Persian.
Fallah, an immigrant from Iran who lives in Saskatoon, was shocked to be selected.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect that and it so great receiving that,” she said. “It means a lot to me.”
Fallah is a multidisciplinary artist who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Art-Tehran (2014) and an MFA from the University of Saskatchewan. Fallah came to Saskatchewan and Saskatoon two and half years ago.
“We came directly from Iran to Saskatoon,” she explained. “Saskatoon was my first landing point.”
Fallah’s piece is an installation of dome-shaped sculptures. The inside structure of the piece, which resembles two towers is made of cardboard on the inside, covered in newspaper and paper mache.
“(It’s) about the memory of space, the memory of the space that we have lived,” she explained. “We were in, and then we missed it. Like we don’t have it physically. We are not belonging to that space anymore, but this is a part of us. We carry our memory of space.”
Fallah said that using items like paper mache is part of her being a mixed media artist.
“After cardboard, I used paper, newspaper, and then paper mache. Then when I sanded it, you can see some sign of newspaper that they’re coloured,” she explained.
Following the Prince Albert Winter Festival Art Show and Sale 50th Gala and Awards Show people had an opportunity to look at the works in the show at the Mann Art Gallery.
“Now that I’m new here, I prefer to have something lighter and paper mache is something that it offers you a lot.”
Fallah said she has been working in mixed media since 2012 and began to work in the medium in Iran.
She said winning the 50th Winter Festival prize was significant for her.
“I’m so honoured to receive that. Honestly, I couldn’t believe that I will receive the first prize, and it means a lot to me,” Fallah said.
Fallah also entered in the 49th Winter Festival in 2025 before her win in 2026. She described it as more of an architectural piece, although it also dealt with the theme of memory and space.
This year, Fallah said she arrived early to have a look at the show at the Mann Art Gallery. Fallah was impressed by the quality of the work for the 50th.
“They were great works, so … I was like, ‘no, I wouldn’t receive such a prize’ because of that I’m saying that I’m so grateful because I saw lots of great works there,” she said.
“I would like to thank Mann Gallery because they are one of the best galleries that they’re so actively working for the art and the community art. I’m so happy that they have such a great show. I’m talking about the Winter Festival, which is a great opportunity for people who wanted to be a part of the art community. It’s a perfect thing to have.”
The Best in Show award is sponsored by the City of Prince Albert and On the Avenue Artisan’s Gallery.
Brody Burns took the second place prize for his piece ‘Tipi Teachings’, while Paula Cooley took third for ‘AVIANTHROPE’. The Guy Rutter Memorial People’s Choice Award winner will be announced after March 21.
There were two new Awards this year including the Green Soup Emporium Award and the On the Avenue Artisan’s Gallery ‘In Living Colours’ Dawn Bear Memorial Award.
The evening opened with a blessing from Elder Liz Settee, Prince Albert Carlton MLA brought greetings on behalf of the province and Mayor Bill Powalinsky brought greetings on behalf of the City of Prince Albert. Guest Curator Jason Baerg also made a speech.
Because of the growth of the event, the Gala took place in the EA Rawlinson Centre. The evening paid tribute to late Prince Albert Artist Kathie Bird, who had a piece entered in the Show and late Prince Albert artist Mark Teskey.
There were 161 artists who entered pieces in the 2025 exhibit. There was also a walk-through with Baerg on Saturday. The show runs until March 21.
Following the final awards presentation emcee and Mann Art Gallery Interim Artistic Director Jesse Campbell was surprised with a presentation of a Star Blanket.
Michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
