“My cultural heritage” was the theme for this year’s Sechelt banners designed by elementary school students. It turned up a variety of international and arts-related images produced by all the Sunshine Coast’s schools, about 250 designs in all. Twenty of the designs were chosen for this year’s street banners with the banner painting to be co-ordinated by Devon Blean. Mayor Bruce Milne and banner sponsor Neil Clayton were at the Arts Centre on Saturday to congratulate each young winner and give them a T-shirt with their own design on it.
They are: Annalisa Achee, Owen Allen, Annabelle Autry, Madison Berg, Jade Bergman, Rose Boden-Blinn, Marshall Curtis, Beatrice Doig, Hadley Laviolette, Lily Mackay, Jada Mielke, Erin Payne, Lola Pratt, Jennifer Quach, Lama Saleh, Aloha Shinkai, Lyra Silver, Chase Stelter, Emma Thornton and Kennedy Vanderwoerd.
Later in the day on Saturday, children and parents gathered to hear the special recognition for young artists whose original work they had completed out of school. Organizer Sheila Page described the judging process and repeated a few of the judge’s comments as she handed out gift certificates to the 19 winners from over 30 children’s submissions. Prizes were donated by sponsors Sechelt Rotary Club, Gibsons School of the Arts and Opus Framing and Art Supplies. The variety was exciting – from little Eric Benko and his drawing of comical dancing pumpkins through to the teenage Emily Picard who has recently been accepted at Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
In the ages 5-8 category, Lilo Parker Mjanes was the youngest to receive an award for her stories on white board that had been gathered into a book. Also selected were Miyo and Taho Shinagawa, Jordyn McNea for all three works, Oliver Benko for his pirate-themed picture, Charlotte Lowe’s monster picture and Amelia Brock’s Butterfly.
In the ages 9-12 category Sol Battaglio earned his recognition for three works and the judges noted that his Zombified sketch was exceptional. Other winners were Isaac D. Izen for two of his works, Nina DeLeo, Megan Kraus for her Constant Companion pictures of her dog and Trying for Peace. Martin Krutsky was recognized for his Jumping Orca Whale, Kristof Krutsky for his life-like seagull relaxing and Ruby Foss for Bird and River.
In the ages 13-17 category, Peyton Lavery had created a fascinating piece in needle felting combining Christmas and Halloween holidays titled Christmas Skull. Isabel Diebel and Bela Ord were both recognized for all three of their works. Eric Krutsky for one of his photographs but also for an expressive piece called Escape in which a big hand reaches out to capture a fleeing man. Anais Bayle wants to become an illustrator and showed two of her works, The Gentleman and The Waiter, and Emily Picard showed her portraits, Lion Fish Mermaid and Al-Mi’raj.
The Young Artists program has ran for 28 years and Sheila Page has coordinated for the past eight years. Young artists are required to submit their artists’ statements with their work and she noted that many say that art makes them happy.
“Some of the artists have gone on to careers in the graphic arts,” Page said.
She announced that she is stepping down this year and was surprised when she received a certificate and flowers presented by Sunshine Coast Arts Council members who were grateful for her service.
