Manitoba-based Christian artist Danielle Savard is celebrating a string of blessings this year, both personal and professional.
Shortly after getting married this past spring, Savard received the unexpected news that she’d been nominated in five categories at the Christian Creative Arts Awards, taking place this weekend in Toronto.
"It was pretty wild," she told CHVN Radio in a recent interview. "I found out a week after our wedding, and I was like, 'Oh my goodness!' I wasn’t expecting this. What a beautiful surprise."
Savard, who released her debut album Warfare: Volume 1 last year, said she sees the nominations not just as a career milestone, but as a deeply spiritual moment. The album draws heavily on themes of faith, scripture, and personal struggle — especially the concept of spiritual warfare, inspired by Ephesians 6.
"As an artist, you go through ups and downs," she said. "I’ve been through so much warfare in my life. But this project was about making myself available to God, to be an instrument."
Savard will also perform one of her nominated songs at the awards ceremony, which she said will be a chance to connect with artists and faith communities from across the country.
"This is actually the first time my husband and I will travel out of town for my music, so that’s really exciting too," she said.
In addition to her work as a singer-songwriter, Savard is also a music therapist in private practice. She often draws from Scripture to inspire both her creative and therapeutic work.
Warfare: Volume 1 is just the beginning. Savard says she's currently finishing songs for Volume 2, which will continue to explore themes of spiritual resilience, including imagery of Jesus walking on water.
"We’re not fighting for victory; we’re fighting from victory," she said. "God’s already defeated the enemy."
Several Manitobans also nominated
Savard isn't the only Made in Manitoba artist on the nomination list this weekend. David Bracken, Jake Fretz, Nathan Keys, Butterfly State, and Barbara Joy have also been nominated across several catgories.
The Christian Creative Arts Awards take place this weekend in Toronto.