MONTREAL.- Canada's contemporary art community is gathered this evening at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the passion and talent of Canada's young contemporary artists and to honour Annie Pootoogook, representing the Prairies and the North region, the winner of the 2006 Sobey Art Award.

"Annie Pootoogook's work reflects both the current moment of a specific tradition and of a contemporary drawing practice," explained curators and jury members. "It comes from a point when Modernism is being re-examined and reflects the hybrid nature of contemporary life. There's really a lot to celebrate in the work of this artist."

Ms. Pootoogook was born in Cape Dorset, Baffin Island. She has been encouraged by the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative in Cape Dorset since 1997 and is represented by Feheley Fine Arts, Toronto. Annie Pootoogook was selected from among five shortlisted artists from across Canada.

"The 2006 Sobey Art Award was a true showcase of Canada's best young artists," said Donald Sobey, Chairman, Sobey Art Award. "Congratulations to the winner, Annie Pootoogook, and all of the shortlisted artists for creating such impactful and important works."

"Culture is a mirror of who we are as a society and Scotiabank's support of Canada's cultural communities is a reflection of who we are as a corporation," said Rick Waugh, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Sobey Art Award and pleased to do our part to support Canada's cultural communities."

The Sobey Art Award is Canada's premier art award for contemporary young artists. The Sobey Art Award is an annual award of $50,000 presented to an artist under 40 who has had a show in a public or commercial art gallery within 18 months of being nominated. The Sobey Art Award is a celebration of the passion and talent of Canada's young contemporary artists.

The exhibition featuring the five finalists for the Sobey Art Award is on display until January 7, 2007 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

The Sobey Art Foundation was established in 1981 with a mandate to carry on the work of entrepreneur and business leader, the late Frank H. Sobey, of collecting and preserving representative examples of 19th and 20th century Canadian art. One of the finest private collections of its kind, the Sobey Art Foundation has assembled exemplary examples from Canadian Masters like Cornelius Krieghoff, Tom Thomson and J.E.H MacDonald. The collection is housed in an intimate setting at Crombie House, the former home of Frank Sobey and his wife Irene in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Tours are regularly scheduled throughout the summer months and by appointment year round.