William Perehudoff, C.M., S.O.M.
1994 Recipient - Saskatchewan Order of Merit

Artist William Perehudoff was born in the Doukhobor community in Langham, Saskatchewan, in 1919 and continued to live on the family farm. Mr. Perehudoff studied art in Colorado Springs, New York and Pittsburgh and travelled and studied in Europe. He returned to Saskatchewan in the early 1950s and worked as a commercial artist for the Western Producer for 25 years. During that time he was active in the Emma Lake artists’ workshops and developed his personal style of painting. In this he was encouraged by Fred Mendel, founder of the Mendel Gallery in Saskatoon, which acquired some of his early works.

After initial work in landscape painting and murals, Mr. Perehudoff turned to the international abstract style of art that established his reputation across Canada. His first solo exhibition at the Mendel Gallery in 1962 was followed by others in Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, New York, Chicago and London. He participated in many group exhibitions and his paintings are found in the collections of most major Canadian art galleries. Mr. Perehudoff is considered one of Canada’s leading abstract painters, combining international modernism with regional subjects in a unique form. His support of emerging artists had a major influence on a new generation of young partners. Mr. Perehudoff married artist Dorothy Knowles, who was made a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1987. He received a University of Alberta national award in painting in 1978 and the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal in 1993, and in 1998 was named a Member of the Order of Canada.

Lieutenant Governor's Arts Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement - Joe Fafard (2007)
30 Below - Thomas Yu (2007)
Leadership - Saskatchewan Music Educators Association (2007)
Innovation in the Arts - Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival (2007)
Lifetime Achievement - Bill Epp (2005)
30 Below - Holly Luhning (2005)
Leadership - Richard Spafford (2005)
Innovation in the Arts - Edward Poitras (2005)
Lifetime Achievement - John Arcand (2004)
30 Below - Sheri Benning (2004)
Leadership - Gary Hyland (2004)
Innovation in the Arts - Michael Hosaluk (2004)

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Marjorie Dunlop (1999)
Caroline Heath (1999)
Ann Newdigate (1999)
Nik Semenoff (1999)
Elizabeth Brewster (1995)
Mary Ellen Burgess (1995)
McGregor Hone (1995)
Allen Sapp (1995)
Florence B. James (1993)
Wynona Croft Mulcaster (1993)
Ruth Pawson (1993)
James Sinclair Ross (1993)
Murray Adaskin (1991)
Mina Forsyth (1991)
Howard Leyton-Brown (1991)
Dwaine Nelson (1991)
Reta Cowley (1990)
John V. Hicks (1990)
Kenneth Kramer (1990)
Jean Oser (1990)
Anne Szumigalski (1990)
Lea Collins (1989)
Ernest Lindner (1989)
W.O. Mitchell (1989)
William A. Riddell (1989)
David Smith (1989)

Saskatchewan Order Of Merit Recipients

Don Kerr (2007)
Calvin D. Abrahamson (2006)
David L. Kaplan (2006)
William A. Waiser (2006)
Maria Campbell (2005)
Lusia Pavlychenko (2005)
Byrna Barclay (2004)
Lorne Carrier (2004)
Jack Sures (2003)
Guy Vanderhaeghe (2003)
Margaret Cugnet (2003)
Joe Fafard (2002)
Kenneth Mitchell (2001)
Jacqui Shumiatcher (2001)
Robert N. Hinitt (2000)
Carol Gay Bell (1997)
Victor Cicansky (1997)
H. Frances Morrison (1999)
Howard Leyton-Brown (1996)
Morris Shumiatcher (1996)
William Perehudoff (1994)
William H. Riddell (1994)
Ruth Pawson (1993)
Emmie Oddie (1991)
Reta Cowley (1990)
Anne Szumigalski (1989)
Marguerite Gallaway (1988)
Dorothy Knowles (1987)
Lyell A. Gustin (1986)
Hilda Allen (1985)
Allen Sapp (1985)