Quinn Smith-Windsor poses between her two dog paintings, Grundel and Sadie. If sold, funds will go towards the SPCA. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D’Andrea

Take a 'Journey'

Inspiring Carlton student tells a story with her unique art techniques

May 30, 2021 | 2:28 PM

Quinn Smith-Windsor has continually shown that obstacles, no matter how big, can be overcome.

At age seven, she raised money to send 17 wheelchairs to Haiti to help people like her who have cerebral palsy or other conditions that require a chair. At 11, she walked 80,000 steps to raise money to build water wells in Kenya. She’s also an accomplished sit-skier and hopes to enter more races.

Now, in her Grade 12 year at Carlton Comprehensive High School, Smith-Windsor created an entire art collection that took over the gallery at the John G. Cuelenaere Public Library in Prince Albert. Smith-Windsor proudly gave a tour of some of her favourite pieces during her collection’s soft launch Saturday.

Saturday’s feat was seven months in the making for Smith-Windsor. Near the beginning of the school year, Carlton art teacher and mentor Melanie Mirasty was impressed with Smith-Windsor’s unique techniques of painting and asked her to do a collection.

Pieces from Quinn Smith-Windsor’s first art collection Journey. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

Politics

Liberal leadership race crystallizes as candidates make opening pitches

9h ago

Middle east conflict

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to begin Sunday

12h ago

BODY-WORN CAMERAS

RCMP body cameras aim to build trust, but expert says can be "problematic"

Jan 17, 2025

“Even though we were all wearing masks, I could see you had the hugest smile,” Mirasty said during the opening. “Just to look around and see what you’ve accomplished is amazing and makes me feel incredibly lucky to be here, standing beside you.”

Mirasty is also looking to have Smith-Windsor as a mentor to teach other high school students her techniques.

Although she could only use one of her hands to paint, that didn’t stop Smith-Windsor from getting creative. She implied a few creative and unique techniques, like the use of string, silicone oil, plastic wrap, pouring, pressing, and even a blowtorch.

But, the collection is far more than just some cool new techniques. It tells stories about benevolence and the importance of helping others. Building the Foundation is a painting of the school in Kenya that Smith-Windsor helped build.

Pieces from Quinn Smith-Windsor’s first art collection Journey. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

“Help building the school foundation, five years ago, I was very happy to see everybody’s reactions and emotions,” Smith-Windsor said. “Also, I was happy to know I was able to reach a goal again.”

She’s also really proud of painting a pair of dogs that were up for adoption at the SPCA–Grundel and Sadie. If sold, funds will go towards the SPCA.

For her recreation of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Smith-Windsor collaborated with artists from across the province, with and without disabilities, to help others stay busy and connected during the pandemic.

The collection will be shown in the library’s gallery for the month of June.

Pieces from Quinn Smith-Windsor’s first art collection Journey. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

–

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow