Lisa Anita Wegner Longlisted for Johnny Depp's People's Art Award
Lisa Anita Wegner, a Toronto-based artist, has made it onto the longlist for the People’s Art Award, a project initiated by Johnny Depp and Artforum Magazine that benefits The Art of Elysium. She’s competing for a $25,000 USD prize, a feature in Artforum, and an opportunity to present her artwork at Depp's Salon in Los Angeles in Fall 2026, selected from over 16,280 entries across North America. Voting starts on May 4, 2026, with the top 20 artists announced on May 14. Wegner’s piece, Elsewhere, explores the story of a fictional 1930s cabaret group, the Dada Family, highlighting themes of altered embodiment and accessibility. Her work has been featured at various festivals and is supported by multiple arts organizations, with inspiration drawn from her experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Her longlisting was revealed through her residency at Haus of Dada.
Key facts
- Lisa Anita Wegner longlisted for the People's Art Award.
- Award presented by Johnny Depp, partnered with Artforum Magazine, benefiting The Art of Elysium.
- Over 16,280 entries from North America.
- Voting starts May 4, 2026; shortlist of 20 artists announced May 14.
- Prize: $25,000 USD, feature in Artforum, display at The Art of Elysium's Salon in Los Angeles, Fall 2026.
- Winner chosen 100% by audience vote.
- Wegner's project Elsewhere involves a fictional 1930s cabaret troupe, the Dada Family.
- Previous iterations shown at Nuit Blanche Toronto, Rendezvous With Madness Festival, Long Winter Arts Festival, ArtworxTO.
- Funding from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of Toronto, Partners in Art, National Creation Fund.
- Wegner based in Toronto, Canada; filmmaker, performer, artist; lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Entities
Artists
- Lisa Anita Wegner
- Johnny Depp
- Eric Rose
- Alison Wong
Institutions
- Haus of Dada
- Artforum Magazine
- The Art of Elysium
- Canada Council for the Arts
- Ontario Arts Council
- City of Toronto
- Partners in Art
- National Creation Fund
- Nuit Blanche Toronto
- Rendezvous With Madness Festival
- Long Winter Arts Festival
- ArtworxTO
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Los Angeles
- California
- Calgary
- Alberta
- North America