Provincial Earth Day art competition in schools

Photo:  The painting created by Alyssa Zimmerman of Chetwynd.

An art competition in high schools throughout British Columbia inspired a strong creative response from students expressing their environmental views in honour of Earth Day.

High school artists representing 53 schools and 30 school districts across British Columbia submitted 250 works of art to Earthwise, a student Earth Day art competition offering $3,500 in prize money. The contest marks the first time that all B.C. high school students have been linked provincially to a single juried art show and competition.

Alyssa Zimmerman of Chetwynd was the only student to participate from Northeast B.C. At the age of 17, created the painting “Just Imagine…” with acrylic paint.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, the competition attracted submissions from grades 9-12 students in public and private schools in communities large and small across the province. Submissions include paintings in acrylic, tempera, oil and watercolour, as well as works in coloured pencils, India ink, collage, computer art, silkscreen and photography.

The Arts Council of Surrey established a panel representing B.C.’s arts community to jury the student submissions. The panel identified first, second and third place winners and 12 honourable mentions. In addition to the prize winners and honourable mentions, 49 students will receive certificates of achievement.

Prize Winners are:

First Prize – Thomas Nelles, Sullivan Heights Secondary school, $2,000
Second Prize – Shirley Liu, Steveston-London Secondary school, $1,000
Third Prize – Ju Young Lee, Langley Fine Arts school, $500