TORONTO, May 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is thrilled to announce that Vancouver's Stan Douglas has been named winner of the third annual Scotiabank Photography Award. The tightly guarded secret was revealed at a ceremony held Thursday evening at Toronto's Ryerson Image Centre. The prestigious prize provides the winner with $50,000 in cash, a primary Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibition in 2014 and book to be published worldwide by international art publisher Steidl. The Scotiabank Photography Award is Canada's largest annual peer reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography.

"Stan Douglas has helped define and enrich the Canadian art and photography landscape with his outstanding artwork," said Edward Burtynksy, Chair of the Scotiabank Photography Award jury and co-founder of the Award. "He has pushed the limits of contemporary photography and will continue to have an incredible impact on the world of photography both here in Canada and abroad. He joins an exclusive group that includes Lynne Cohen and the late Arnaud Maggs as winners of this award. "

Based in Vancouver, Stan Douglas has created films, photographs, and installations that reexamine particular locations or past events. His works often take their points of departure in local settings, from which broader issues can be identified. He works with popular media: photography, film, storytelling, public spectacle, and soon, mobile apps. With his artwork, Stan invents, influences and redefines the cultural understanding and reception of art.

The Scotiabank Photography Award was conceived and developed by Edward Burtynsky, one of Canada's most respected art photographers, and Jane Nokes, Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives at Scotiabank. Burtynsky serves as Chair of the jury and Nokes is the Award's Executive Director.

"We are so pleased to be offering Stan Douglas this opportunity to take his art to new heights," said Nokes. "His talent is undeniable and his impressive work underlines why we established the Award in the first place. We see tremendous value in celebrating and preserving excellence in contemporary Canadian art and are proud to take a leadership role in supporting such great talent."

Stan Douglas was selected from a group of three finalists, which included Angela Grauerholz and Robert Walker, by a jury of some of photography's most respected experts:

• William Ewing, Director of Curatorial Projects, Thames & Hudson/London/New York/Paris/Singapore/Hong Kong/Melbourne
• Karen Love, Independent Curator and Writer, Director of Foundation and Government Grants, Vancouver Art Gallery
• Ann Thomas, Curator, Photographs Collection, National Gallery of Canada

In addition to this Award, Scotiabank is committed to supporting the arts through its involvement in numerous festivals and events, including Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, Scotiabank Buskerfest and the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

"Scotiabank has a long history of supporting the arts and artists in their communities through our Bright Future program, and we are proud to celebrate Stan Douglas' work," said Jacquie Ryan, Scotiabank Vice President, Sponsorships and Partnerships Programs. "Our customers have long recognized that as individuals we gain much more than we give when we connect with the arts. From photography to dance, theatre to music we understand that the arts have a unique place in our lives, inspiring us to pursue our own interests. "

The exhibition featuring the work of last year's winner, the late Arnaud Maggs, is now open to the public through June 2, 2013 at the Ryerson Image Centre, 33 Gould Street, Toronto, as part of the 2013 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.

For more information about the winner, finalists, jury and prize, please visit: www.scotiabankphotoaward.com

About Scotiabank 
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Image with caption: "Canadian Photographer Stan Douglas is named the 2013 Scotiabank Photography Award winner. (L to R) Scotiabank President Brian Porter, renowned Canadian photographic artist Edward Burtynsky, 2013 Scotiabank Photography Award Winner Stan Douglas and Globe and Mail Arts and Life Editor Gabe Gonda. (CNW Group/Scotiabank)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130516_C7744_PHOTO_EN_26858.jpg

Image with caption: "Scotiabank President Brian Porter (L) congratulates Stan Douglas, the winner of the 2013 Scotiabank Photography Award. As winner of the Award he receives a $50,000 cash prize, a book published and distributed worldwide by Steidl and a primary exhibition at the 2014 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. (CNW Group/Scotiabank)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130516_C7744_PHOTO_EN_26859.jpg

SOURCE: Scotiabank