Five Calgary artists named 2026 emerging artists
A puppeteer, poet, tenor, and hip-hop artist are among 11 Alberta creatives honoured as Lieutenant Governor Emerging Artists.
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Five Calgary-based artists have been recognized among 11 outstanding Alberta creatives as 2026 Lieutenant Governor Emerging Artists, awarded for careers in their early stages and "creating new approaches and bringing fresh perspectives to their respective arts disciplines," said foundation chair Arlene Strom.
Alison DeRegt is a puppet maker, animator, and artist whose work has appeared on theatre stages across Calgary, including the giant puppets in Calgary Opera's "Hansel and Gretel." She curates live performances at the Festival of Animated Objects and worked on "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock."
Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse is a multidisciplinary artist from Tsuut'ina, Amskapi Pikanii, and Saddle Lake Cree nations. He's a musician, artist, filmmaker, actor, and activist who records music as sadbirthdays and is part of the collective tīná gúyáńí (Deer Road) with his mother, Glenna Cardinal.
Jerome Henry, who performs as K-Riz, is frontman of K-Riz & the Family, blending hip-hop, R&B, and jazz. He won Rap Recording of the Year and Music Video of the Year at the YYC Music Awards.
Poet and author Paula Turcotte writes both poetry and prose exploring themes of religion, pop culture, gender, bisexuality, and family dynamics. She's been published in numerous journals and magazines and nominated for several writing awards.
Tayte Mitchell is a tenor and alumnus of the Calgary Opera McPhee Young Artist Program. He's the founding CEO and artistic director of Calgary-based Ammolite Opera, the first contemporary opera company to win a Betty Mitchell Award. Mitchell has been invited to make his associate director debut at Vancouver Opera for their production of "Il barbiere di Siviglia" in the 2026-27 season.
The six other 2026 Emerging Artists are Sydney Baedke (Edmonton), an opera singer considered a rising star by Opera Canada; Matthew Cardinal (Edmonton), whose band nehiyawak was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize; Jessica Carmichael (Edmonton), a writer drawing on her Ghanaian-Barbadian heritage; Lara Felsin (Edson), a multidisciplinary artist incorporating natural materials; Conor Kerr (Edmonton), whose novel "Avenue of Champions" was shortlisted for the 2024 Giller Prize; and Dayna Lea Hoffmann (Edmonton), known in Alberta's physical theatre scene.