Share this page
Alberta artists Chris Cran and Vicki Adams Willis named to the Order of Canada
DATE :
The AFA was thrilled to learn that Alberta artists Chris Cran and Vicki Adams Willis were named to the Order of Canada, as announced by Governor General Louise Arbour.
About Chris Cran
Visual artist Chris Cran blends traditional genres with pop-cultural sources and playfully disrupts perception. He has inspired generations of artists in Calgary and beyond through his innovative explorations of painting. Chris has been widely praised as one of Canada’s most notable painters.
He was born in Ocean Falls, BC and graduated from the Kootenay School of Art in Nelson. He then received a Master of Fine Arts from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now the Alberta University of the Arts) in Calgary, where he built his career.
In 2016, Chris was the first Albertan contemporary artist to ever receive a solo retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. The exhibition, entitled Sincerely Yours, spanned 40 years and included 100 artworks and ran from May to September in 2016.
About Vicki Adams Willis
Choreographer and producer Vicki Adams Willis is the Co-Founder of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) in Calgary. Through DJD, Vicki developed a culturally unique, critically acclaimed style of jazz dance, and taught and mentored hundreds of emerging artists. She changed the perception of jazz dance as an art form in Canada.
Born and raised in Calgary, Vicki graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While teaching in the university’s Department of Drama, she introduced its first Jazz course. It proved so popular, she ended up developing four levels of jazz courses, plus special summer programming.
She left the University of Calgary in 1989 to dedicate her time to DJD, where she remained Artistic Director until 2013. She remains part of the company today as the Founder in Residence, where she focuses on teaching, mentoring, advising, and leading the Dancing Parkinson’s YYC program.
AFA support for these artists
The AFA is proud to have supported Chris Cran and Vicki Adams Willis throughout their artistic journeys.
Over his career, the AFA has acquired 18 Chris Cran artworks through the AFA Art Collection. Two artworks, Lemons with Polka Dots (2019) and Cleveland Portrait #1 (2013) currently on display in the AFA art house in Calgary in the New Views and Montageries exhibitions, respectively.
The AFA has provided annual operating funding to DJD for more than 20 years through its Professional Performing Arts Organizations grant stream. The AFA was pleased to acknowledge Vicki’s contributions to Alberta by presenting her with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022
Both Chris and Vicki were included in the AFA’s 25 Influential Alberta Artists list during its 25th anniversary celebrations.
National recognition of Chris Cran’s and Vicki Adams Willis’ invaluable contributions to the arts is well-deserved. Congratulations to all the Order of Canada recipients this year!
AFA support for all Alberta artists
The AFA supports Alberta artists at all stages of their careers, from established to mid-career to just emerging.
Applications for individual project grants for the following arts disciplines – dance, film and video, Indigenous arts, literary, music, theatre, and visual arts – are open until September 1, 2026. Learn more in our Find Funding section.