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About AMPA
The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the people who create, publish, print and distribute the province’s rich diversity of publications.
Events & Awards
Throughout the year, AMPA offers professional development opportunities, consultations with industry experts, and hosts Canada’s largest magazine conference and awards gala to inspire members and elevate their publications.
Opportunities
If you’re looking for a new opportunity, need to fill a role in your organization, are searching for the right contributor for a project, or want to share your time and talent in supporting AMPA and industry colleagues, we can help make a connection.
News & Resources
AMPA is your source of the latest news about developments in Alberta’s magazine industry, opportunities, and emerging trends and best practices. We also offer an extensive collection of resources for those looking to enter the industry or veterans keen on continuous improvement.
Discover Alberta Magazines
With each issue, Alberta magazines offer a fresh perspective on nearly every aspect of life in our province. No matter what your interest – current affairs, politics, fitness, literature, food, culture or more – there is a publication to keep you entertained and informed.

Essay

2025-2026

Articles in this category include those in which a writer’s perspective is paramount. Regular columns are eligible for entry in this category.

Finalists

Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line

Writer: Jeff Gailus

Alberta Views

Nobody Wants This—Creativity Isn’t as Safe from AI as We Think

Nobody Wants This—Creativity Isn’t as Safe from AI as We Think

Writer: Jason Norman

WestWord

Dialogues On War—Sometimes the Best Defence Is a Book

Dialogues On War—Sometimes the Best Defence Is a Book

Writer: Myrna Kostash

WestWord

Crescendoing

Writer: Scott Messenger

Editor: Omar Mouallem

Edify

The City of Bad Endings and Beautiful Beginnings (Love Letters)

The City of Bad Endings and Beautiful Beginnings (Love Letters)

Writer: Benjamin Hertwig

Editor: Omar Mouallem

Edify

The Discourtesy Epidemic

The Discourtesy Epidemic

Writer: Curtis Gillespie

Editor: Mifi Purvis

New Trail

In a Time of Fire

In a Time of Fire

Writer: Richard Ireland

Editor: Mifi Purvis

New Trail

Past Winners

The Last Great Art Show

Silver 2025 | The Last Great Art Show

WRITER: Sarah Swan

Galleries West

Our Home at the End of the World: Friendship in a Sinking City

Gold 2025 | Our Home at the End of the World: Friendship in a Sinking City

WRITER: Emily H. Cox

filling Station Magazine

Whitewashing History

Gold 2024 | Whitewashing History

WRITER: Gretchen Albers

Alberta Views

Married to a Narcissist Survival Quiz

Silver 2024 | Married to a Narcissist Survival Quiz

WRITER: Leslie Palleson

filling Station

You Want it Darker

Gold 2023 | You Want it Darker

WRITER : Sarah Swan

Galleries West

Requiem for a River

Silver 2023 | Requiem for a River

WRITER: Kevin Van Tighem

Alberta Views

2022 GOLD | From Dismissed to Disposable

Gold 2022 | 2022 GOLD | From Dismissed to Disposable

WRITER: Clem Martini

Alberta Views

2022 SILVER | You Can’t Rebuild a Mountain

Silver 2022 | 2022 SILVER | You Can’t Rebuild a Mountain

WRITER: Sid Marty

Canadian Cowboy Country

2021 GOLD | Initiation

Gold 2021 | 2021 GOLD | Initiation

WRITER: Tim Bowling

Alberta Views

2021 SILVER | In Defence of Art from Small Places

Silver 2021 | 2021 SILVER | In Defence of Art from Small Places

WRITER: Sarah Swan

Galleries West

2020 GOLD | 29 More Years of Colonization since 1990

Gold 2020 | 2020 GOLD | 29 More Years of Colonization since 1990

WRITER: Sable Sweetgrass

New Forum magazine

2020 SILVER | Gathering Colour

Silver 2020 | 2020 SILVER | Gathering Colour

WRITER: Anong Migwans Beam

SNAPLine

2019 GOLD | Reading Between the Ropes

Gold 2019 | 2019 GOLD | Reading Between the Ropes

Doug Horner

Swerve

2019 SILVER | Gotta Run

Silver 2019 | 2019 SILVER | Gotta Run

Scott Messenger

Eighteen Bridges

2018 GOLD | Shattered Dream

Gold 2018 | 2018 GOLD | Shattered Dream

Edmund Aunger

Alberta Views

2018 SILVER | When Things Fall Apart

Silver 2018 | 2018 SILVER | When Things Fall Apart

Clem Martini

Alberta Views

2017 GOLD | How to Talk About Death and Dying

Gold 2017 | 2017 GOLD | How to Talk About Death and Dying

Christina Frangou

Avenue Calgary

2017 SILVER | When Truth Doesn't Matter

Silver 2017 | 2017 SILVER | When Truth Doesn't Matter

Todd Babiak

New Trail

2016 GOLD | Breathing Holes

Gold 2016 | 2016 GOLD | Breathing Holes

Lisa Gregoire

Eighteen Bridges

2016 SILVER | Coming Up with an Ending

Silver 2016 | 2016 SILVER | Coming Up with an Ending

Tamara Gignac

Swerve

2015 GOLD | Children of a Lesser Santa

Gold 2015 | 2015 GOLD | Children of a Lesser Santa

Omar Mouallem

Swerve

2015 SILVER | The Gospel of Fire and Mud

Silver 2015 | 2015 SILVER | The Gospel of Fire and Mud

Russ Peters

Swerve

2014 GOLD | Why the Kids Don't Drive

Gold 2014 | 2014 GOLD | Why the Kids Don't Drive

Omar Mouallem

Swerve

2014 SILVER | Crash Course

Silver 2014 | 2014 SILVER | Crash Course

Curtis Gillespie

Western Living

2013 GOLD | Washing the Body

Gold 2013 | 2013 GOLD | Washing the Body

Karen Connelly

Alberta Views

2013 SILVER | Why Knot?

Silver 2013 | 2013 SILVER | Why Knot?

Max Fawcett

Eighteen Bridges