There were close to 100 entries from youth and adults participating in the Shorelines Art Contest this spring to highlight the importance of protecting our water sources.
The art contest was spearheaded by the Baker Creek Enhancement Society with the Cariboo South portion of the contest sponsored by the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society and the Community Arts Council of Williams Lake.
The Shorelines of the Cariboo Virtual Exhibit was designed to promote shoreline ecosystems, integrating environmental stewardship and education with the visual arts to inspire protection and healthy shoreline practices, say event organizers.
Shorelines provide a wealth of bio-diversity and the contest’s goal aimed to raise awareness of this crucial ecosystem through creativity — art with a message.
“We are proud to be able to award artists for their work,” says arts council co-ordinator Venta Rutkauskas. “It’s been wonderful to see the array of images from our local talent.”
Rutkauskas, along with musician and art lover Brandon Hoffman and photographer John Wellburn, spent several days dialoguing about which artists really put together something special.
Neil Pinkett of Forest Grove won the adult first place prize of $200 for his painting Synergy. It’s a stunning oil on canvas that portrays a rocky shore that leads to a sky-blue body of water and forest green hills, the judges said.
The fine detail of the brushwork on the rocky shore is remarkable, and well worth seeing in person.
The painting may be entered in this year’s Art Walk, the artists said.
Leah Selk of Williams Lake won the second place adult prize of $125 for her photograph Homeward Bound.
The photograph is part of a series Selk created when she was attending university in Montreal, and reflects the ideas of finding place, or finding home.
It’s also a love story, about finding one’s way back to a loved one. She chose the Fraser River, as it is such an iconic symbol of British Columbia.
Amy Mitchell of Williams Lake won the third place adult prize of $75 for her photograph Night Fog Over Williams Lake.
Mitchell said she has just begun exploring the technique of long exposure at night, and is very encouraged by her award and feedback from the judges.
Rick Magnell of Williams Lake won the viewer’s choice prize of $150 for his photograph On the Shoreline of Williams Lake below the rest stop on North Lakeside.
Magnell’s beautiful image captures subtle light and rich colour, inviting the viewer in to the jewel coloured magic of the moment, the judges said.
Aliya Grant, a Grade 3 student at Mountview Elementary won the youth first place prize of $75 for her drawing Be Water’s Friend!. Aliya has captured the whole world in a drop of water, a mature and cohesive vision emerging from this talented young lady, the judges said.
The youth second prize of $50 came to a tie between Molly Novakowski, a Grade 3 student at Cataline Elementary for her drawing of a crane and Tatiana Hill for her drawing titled Life at the Water’s Edge. Both artists depict vivid and colourful renditions of a healthy shoreline ecosystem full of wildlife.
Deaghan Rochefort, a Grade 3 student at Mountview Elementary won the youth third prize of $25 for his drawing Water is Amazing.
Deaghan created a watery scene full of exciting creatures and colours, and the title really sums up what is important and true, the judges said.
The conservation society sponsored the youth prizes.
The arts council sponsored the adult prizes.
The winning entries can be viewed at: http://www.bakercreek.org/cariboo-chilcotin-shorelines/art-exhibition-contest/contest-gallery-south-cariboo/.