Canadian Artist Michael Janzen Receives 2026 LABA Icon Award in Hollywood, Ranks No. 1 Among LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Artists
Toronto-based visual artist and founding chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists recognized for more than five decades of artistic achievement and international cultural exchange
LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2026 —Shaoren Gou, International Arts News— Canadian visual artist Michael Janzen, founding chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists (IFAA), received a 2026 Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) Icon Award during a Hollywood awards gala held at the Universal City Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California, on March 15.
Janzen, whose artistic career spans more than five decades, was also ranked No. 1 among the 2022–2024 Los Angeles Beverly Arts – Most Influential and Most Valuable (LABA-MIMV) Global Top 10 Winners, a separate international artistic recognition programme featuring ten artists from several countries.
The two distinctions reflect different aspects of his international recognition: the 2026 LABA Icon Award presented at the March 15 ceremony and his first-place ranking in the 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 programme.
From his early artistic development in Toronto to exhibitions and cultural collaborations across Europe, Asia and South America, Janzen has developed a multidisciplinary practice combining painting, music, dance, poetry, film and live performance.
LABA Icon Awards Bring International Artists Together in Hollywood
The 2026 LABA Icon Awards ceremony was held on March 15 at the Universal City Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California.
The event brought together artists, cultural figures, entertainment professionals and international guests for an evening of artistic recognition and cultural exchange.
Janzen appeared on stage during the ceremony and met personalities from the arts and entertainment industries, including American actor Eric Roberts, with whom he posed for a photograph.
The event was hosted by LABA founder and television personality Joey Zhou and multimedia journalist Dr. Theresa Velasquez.
According to the official Los Angeles Beverly Arts announcement, the 2026 LABA Icon Awards recognized nine recipients:
- Deborah Castine, MD
- Annie Chen
- Michael Janzen
- Calia Lin — Lifetime Achievement Award
- Clara Lobel
- Jinli Qu
- HuiMei Shi
- Christine Jardin-Sourgen
- Jianwei Zhu
The awards brought together individuals from different artistic and professional backgrounds, reflecting the connections between visual art, entertainment, cultural philanthropy and international creative collaboration.
For Janzen, the 2026 LABA Icon Award added another distinction to a career shaped by artistic experimentation and cross-cultural exchange.
Michael Janzen, chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists (IFAA), appears on stage during the 2026 LABA Icon Awards ceremony at the Universal City Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California, on March 15, 2026.
No. 1 Among the 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Winners
In addition to his 2026 LABA Icon Award, Janzen was ranked first among the 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Winners.
LABA-MIMV stands for Los Angeles Beverly Arts – Most Influential and Most Valuable.
The international recognition programme is associated with the LABA Biennial International Art Festival and recognizes artists for their creative achievements, artistic influence and contributions to international cultural exchange.
The complete list of the 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Winners is:
- Michael Janzen — Canada
- Chun Liu — China
- Lilli Muller — United States
- Tm Gratkowski — United States
- Mariana Siebold — Guatemala
- Ekatherina Savtchenko — Russia/Germany
- Harley Cortez — United States
- Mariola Wroblewski — Germany/Spain
- Youben Hu — China
- Dora Labora — United States/Venezuela (dual citizenship)
The ten artists represent a broad international range of artistic backgrounds, including Canada, China, the United States, Guatemala, Russia, Germany, Spain and Venezuela.
Janzen’s first-place ranking recognizes his longstanding artistic achievements and his involvement in cultural exchange across national and disciplinary boundaries.
The 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Winners programme and the 2026 LABA Icon Awards are distinct recognitions. The former identifies ten artists in an international ranking, while the latter refers to the awards presented at the March 15, 2026, Hollywood event.
Michael Janzen, Calia Lin, Harrison Engle, Clara Lobel, Laurent Khaiat, Theresa Velazqulez, Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, Annie Chen, Jinli Qu, Christine Jardin-Sourgen, Deborah Castine, MD, Joey Zhou, and Dustin Quick pose for a group photo during the LABA awards gala at the Universal City Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California, on March 15, 2026. (Photo credit: Eugene Powers)
Featured in Hollywood Elites Magazine
Janzen’s international artistic achievements and his recognition by Los Angeles Beverly Arts were also featured in the March 2026 issue of Hollywood Elites Magazine.
The magazine identified him as LABA’s No. 1 Most Influential and Most Valuable Artist for 2022–2024 and presented examples of his paintings, including City in Light & Dark, Fire Dance, Northern Lights, Jmanitou and The Artist’s Garden.
The feature introduced his artistic career and creative achievements to readers interested in visual art, entertainment and international cultural exchange.。
Canadian contemporary artist Michael Janzen, founding chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists (IFAA), is featured on page 91 of the March 2026 issue of Hollywood Elites Magazine as LABA’s No. 1 Most Influential & Most Valuable (MIMV) Artist for 2022–2024. The magazine page showcases four of his paintings: City in Light & Dark, Fire Dance, Northern Lights, Lake Manitou and The Artist’s Garden.
Michael Janzen, chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists (IFAA), poses with American actor Eric Roberts during the LABA awards gala at the Universal City Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California, on March 15, 2026. (Photo credit: Danielle Marie Nowak)
Los Angeles Beverly Arts and Its International Mission
Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) is a Southern California-based arts organization promoting international exhibitions, artistic recognition, cultural exchange and cooperation among artists from different countries.
Through the LABA Biennial International Art Festival, awards programmes and related cultural initiatives, the organization provides opportunities for artists to present their work to international audiences and engage with the broader creative community.
Its programmes reflect an interest in artistic achievement, cultural diversity and international collaboration.
Janzen’s involvement with LABA reflects his longstanding commitment to connecting artists and audiences across cultural boundaries.
An Artistic Career Beginning at Age 15
Michael Janzen’s artistic career began in Toronto.
At the age of 15, he received a scholarship sponsored by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) to attend the Ontario College of Art, now OCAD University.
In 1977, AGO curators selected Janzen as the first of three artists from 100 Canadian candidates to exhibit and sell artwork at the gallery.
His early career was shaped by encounters with influential figures in Canadian and international art.
British sculptor Henry Moore encouraged and praised Janzen’s work between 1977 and 1986.
He also received mentorship and encouragement from A. J. Casson, a distinguished member of Canada’s Group of Seven.
Casson’s support connected Janzen with a major tradition in Canadian art history, while Janzen’s later work developed a distinctive contemporary identity through experimentation with colour, movement and interdisciplinary expression.
Canadian art critic and author Paul Duval also praised Janzen’s artistic vision. He stated, “Janzen is a painter of thought and with the facile of Picasso everything he touches has spirit.”
In 1984, the Canadian government commissioned Janzen to produce four artworks presented to Pope John Paul II.
The commission represented an early international recognition of his creative abilities.
Painting Through Music, Dance and Movement
Beginning in 2000, Janzen developed a series of live painting performances combining visual art with music, dance, poetry and film.
These performances transformed painting from a private studio activity into a public creative event.
Rather than simply displaying a completed painting, Janzen invited audiences to experience the artistic process as it unfolded.
His brushstrokes responded to musical rhythms, physical movement and emotional expression.
He presented performances at venues including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Varley Art Gallery, Canadian National Exhibition Bandshell and various music and film festivals.
His international activities included museum exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, Brazil, where he represented Canadian contemporary art alongside Iconic Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau, who received recognition from Pablo Picasso.
Canadian dancer Margie Gillis described him as “the painter who dances,” a phrase reflecting the close relationship between movement and painting in his artistic practice.
In 2006, Janzen was commissioned to present a live painting performance for Artists’ Odysseys: The Arctic at the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville, Ontario.
The performance incorporated Inuit drumming and spoken word.
Janzen subsequently conceived, performed, directed and produced a documentary film titled Northern Lights, named after the painting created during the event.
The completed painting, film and related objects were presented together, demonstrating how visual art could become part of a larger multidisciplinary experience.
Recognition Within Canada’s Artistic Community
Janzen participated in annual staff exhibitions presented by the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Art historian and curator Dennis Reid expressed interest in his live painting performance and accompanying artwork.
Matthew Teitelbaum, then director of the AGO, also showed interest in Janzen’s mixed-media collage transformations depicting filmmaker David Cronenberg and actor Chris Farley.
These projects reflected his willingness to explore unconventional materials and artistic approaches.
From 2009 to 2023, Janzen maintained an artistic collaboration with dancer and choreographer Danny Grossman, whose career included work with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in New York.
Their collaboration explored the relationship between visual composition, dance and movement. Add: Their collaboration in Toronto and San Francisco explored the relationship between visual composition, dance and movement.
In 2023, Janzen conceived, wrote, narrated and appeared in a documentary examining the life and work of Canadian artist Thomas Vincent Phillips.
The project demonstrated his continuing interest in documenting artistic history and communicating the achievements of other artists.
International Exhibitions in Paris
Janzen’s international artistic activities expanded significantly in 2014.
That year, he exhibited at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris and received an award.
He subsequently participated in the Art en Capital exhibitions at the Grand Palais in 2014, 2015 and during the 2016–2017 programme.
His participation included exhibitions associated with Dessin et Peinture à l’Eau.
According to his artistic biography, Janzen received the Golden Painting Life Oil or Acrylic award, associated with recognition from a representative of the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France.
These exhibitions introduced his work to European audiences and strengthened his involvement in international artistic exchange.
Building Artistic Bridges Between Canada and China
China became an important destination in Janzen’s international artistic career.
In 2014, Chinese artist Huang Jian Nan invited him to participate in the Asian Culture Artists Federation’s First Famous Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition in Shenzhen.
Janzen exhibited artwork, collaborated with Chinese artists and participated in a charitable auction.
During the visit, he performed live painting accompanied by Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
The performance was broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV), introducing his multidisciplinary artistic approach to Chinese audiences.
One of Janzen’s performance paintings was acquired by the Malacca Zhongzhen Chuan Art Museum in Malaysia.
Another was acquired by the Yu Jigao Art Foundation Museum in Nanjing, China.
His painting Paris Nocturne was acquired by the Lingnan Museum of Fine Art in Dongguan, China, for its collection.
His work was also featured on Chinese postage stamps, with three paintings reproduced in a limited-edition stamp collection.
According to his biography, the stamp collection subsequently entered the Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives at the Art Gallery of Ontario and was represented in the National Gallery of Canada’s collection records.
Janzen also explored the application of his artistic imagery to traditional Chinese ceramics during exchanges with Huang Jian Nan.
He participated in lectures and academic exchanges associated with Tsinghua University in Shenzhen and exhibited at the Beijing International Art Fair.
These activities reflected his interest in connecting contemporary Canadian painting with Chinese artistic traditions.
Continuing Cultural Exchange in Canada and China
In September 2015, Janzen participated in an exhibition and cultural exchange at the Markham Civic Centre in Ontario.
He exhibited, lectured and collaborated on a painting with Chinese artist Chen Ben.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti acquired the collaborative artwork for the Civic Centre Collection.
In 2016, a painting by Janzen was acquired by Cham Shan Temple.
In 2017, he participated in Toronto’s Colour Rhythm Exhibition, where artist Ben Woolfitts praised his achievements across different media and artistic disciplines.
In 2018, Janzen participated in Exoticism and Fusion: One Belt One Road China-Canada Art Exchange Exhibition at the Lingnan Museum of Fine Art in Dongguan, China.
His participation followed selection by Chinese artist Guo Runwen.
The museum acquired Janzen’s oil painting Paris Nocturne for its permanent collection.
He also exhibited and lectured at the Taisan Nancun Art Gallery in Guangdong, which acquired one of his paintings.
A subsequent exhibition in Jingdezhen resulted in another painting entering a cultural collection.
Preserving Canada’s Artistic Heritage
In 2020, the Huronia Museum in Midland, Ontario, acquired a Janzen oil painting for its permanent collection.
The painting remains on display alongside works by members of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries.
During the museum event, Janzen unveiled a painting by Group of Seven member Arthur Lismer and delivered a lecture examining the artist’s life and work.
In February 2024, Janzen co-curated a museum event presenting new research concerning Franz Johnston and other artists associated with the Group of Seven.
He also unveiled a significant Johnston oil painting donated to the museum.
These activities reflected Janzen’s commitment to preserving Canadian art history while continuing to create new work.
The 2024 Canada International Culture and Art Festival
In October 2024, Janzen participated in the fourth Canada International Culture and Art Festival at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.
He contributed as an artist, curator, lecturer and artistic adviser.
He also collaborated with Chinese artist Ren Qui Liu to create two live paintings.
The festival catalogue subsequently entered the Edward P. Taylor Library collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Janzen received the festival’s Gold Award for Oil Painting.
The event continued his longstanding involvement in artistic cooperation between Canadian and Chinese communities.
From International Recognition to New Artistic Possibilities
Janzen’s 2026 LABA Icon Award and his first-place ranking among the 2022–2024 LABA-MIMV Global Top 10 Winners reflect different recognitions of a career characterized by artistic experimentation and international engagement.
His creative work has connected Canadian artistic heritage with contemporary painting, performance, film, music and cross-cultural collaboration.
From early encouragement by Henry Moore and A. J. Casson to exhibitions in Paris, China and Brazil, Janzen has consistently explored the relationship between visual expression and the wider human experience.
His role as founding chairman of the International Federation of Arts & Artists reflects this broader commitment to artistic dialogue and international cooperation.
At a time when cultural relationships are increasingly shaped by global exchange, Janzen’s career demonstrates how artists can connect different communities through shared creative experiences.
For him, painting has become more than an image on canvas. It is a form of communication through which movement, colour, memory and cultural traditions encounter one another.
The recognition he received in Hollywood on March 15, 2026, adds another chapter to that continuing artistic journey.
