ELAN launches Recognizing Artists: Enfin Visibles!

MONTREAL, May 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Internationally renowned Quebec artists including Arcade Fire, MELISSA AUF dER MAUR, John N. Smith, Melvin Charney and Evergon are among those featured in the RAEV group portrait that was released this week by the English Language Arts Network. The list of 150 artists and cultural innovators includes such well known artists as dancer Margie Gillis, novelists Rawi Hage and Eric Siblin, actors Leni Parker and Tyrone Benskin, playwrights Steve Gallucio, Colleen Curran and Vittorio Rossi, filmmakers Alanis Obomsawin and Ezra Soiferman, comedians Lorne Elliot and the duo Bowser and Blue, musicians Suzie Airoli, Trevor Payne and the Dears. Also on the list are artists creating a buzz in their local scene such as musicians Chet Doxas, Plants and Animals, filmmaker Tracey Deer, and emerging singing sensation Nikki Yanofsky.

The RAEV project was created to raise the visibility of Quebec's dynamic arts scenes within the English-speaking community, and among Quebec's Francophone majority which is increasingly curious about English-language artists in Quebec. ELAN's Recognizing Artists : Enfin Visibles! project received more than 1,700 submissions of English-speaking artists from their fans and colleagues. Juries then selected a sampling to represent a full spectrum of disciplines, genres and regions.

The full RAEV portrait can be viewed at www.quebec-elan.org (Click RAEV profiles at top left of home page.) Photos are available upon request.

The English Language Arts Network works to assist and promote the English-language artists of Quebec.

For further information: RSVP: Guy Rodgers, Executive Director, [phone], [email protected]