Janice Tanton
<< Back to Our Artists page
View Artist’s Work Online >>
Janice is an interdisciplinary artist, maintaining a studio in Canmore, Alberta. She has worked for over 22 years in the field, creating works that resonate widely. A design graduate and Alumna of Distinction from Durham College, also studying at the University of Windsor BFA (Acting) program, Janice continued her interest in the visual and performance arts, working professionally in theatre, film, music, vocal performance, (1980-1990) and graphic design, culminating in the launch of her own art, publishing and design company in 1989.
She quickly developed a wide sales network for her original and published artwork throughout Canada and into the United States, garnering major corporate accounts and licensing opportunities while operating two commercial galleries, a design and fine art studio. Her images have been sold to galleries and retailers across the world and her ten years of illustration and creative direction for Country Home Candle Co. Inc. between 1996-2006 developed the branding for that company that continues to be their corporate strength today.
In 1999, her entrepreneurial success led to an invitation as a delegate to the first Businesswomen’s Summit between Canada and the U.S. as well as a nomination for the Rotman Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2005, Janice moved with her family to Canmore, Alberta where she accepted a position working at The Banff Centre as Program Manager for Aboriginal Leadership. Setting aside a successful painting career for a few years to devote time to her young family and her responsibilities at The Banff Centre, Janice found incredible artistic inspiration and support through close relationships with faculty and participants from Aboriginal communities from across Canada and Australia.
She began to work in a new vein of artistic exploration of these cross-cultural relationships through oils, film and a melding of performance arts practices. Following five and a half years of service in Aboriginal Leadership, Janice retired from her Banff Centre role at the end of December 2010 to devote her time solely to her studio work once again. She continues her strong relationships with aboriginal communities and leaders across Canada.
She breaks new ground exploring the intersection of collaborative cross-cultural arts practices between indigenous and non-indigenous cultures in Canada and Australia.
Janice has received two awards from The Canada Council for the Arts for The Community Fusion Project (www.communityfusion.ca) and the upcoming “CAMP” in 2012. She continues to enjoy astounding success for her work.