For the second year in a row, PACI student Tia-Lee McCallum was awarded "Best in Show" at the  Juried Art Show. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community events

Awards night shines spotlight on young artists

Apr 29, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Two local high school artists share top honours at this year’s Juried Art Show.

Tia-Lee McCallum, a Grade 12 student at PACI and Brennan Cantin, a Grade 11 student at École St. Mary. Attending Thursday night’s reception at the Mann Art Gallery, McCallum told paNOW she was quite surprised she learned she had won.

“I was in the middle of a test and my teacher came up to me and said I won best in show. I was more interested in meeting the other person who had won as well,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

McCallum also won last year, and was asked what her plans are after graduating. She revealed she plans to pursue bio-medical science at the University of Saskatchewan.

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“A lot of people seem to think that I want to go to college for art but honestly I see art more as a hobby because I don’t want it to be a job. Being forced to do art is not really a passion; just being inspired to do art is a passion,” she explained.

Sitting nearby, McCallum’s mother Miranda Lafond expressed how proud she was of her daughter.

“She just always sets the bar up and she’s always suprising us with anything she does,” she said.

Brennan Cantin’s work, a painting, is titled “Burning house.”

“I thought it would be cool to paint smoke and I just had fun with it,” he explained.

Cantin believes his love for art came through osmosis, explaining how his grandmother was also an artist and went to art school. Much like McCallum, Cantin said he too wants to keep art a side project for personal enjoyment.

Cantin (right) stands with show curator Lana Wilson. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Rachel Lao stands with her painting “The Chase.” (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

A total of seven awards were handed out this year. Rachel Lao, a Grade 9 student at the Flex Ed School, received the Emerging Artist Award.

“I am very happy that I have this opportunity to share my artwork. It’s a new experience for me,” she said.

The award was sponsored by Lemon Yellow Art Studio, and Lao will, as part of her award, receive free classes. Tia Furstenberg recently opened the school/ studio, and said sponsoring this year’s show was a no brainer for her.

“We are an art studio that wants to foster young artists to really reach their full potential and grow in their creativity,” she explained.

The school features weekly classes and is geared for ages eight and up, who learn about painting, drawing, digital design and print making.

“We are going to add some more things in the Fall but we really want to engage all sorts of different age groups,” she said.

The Juried Art Show exhibit at the Mann Art Gallery can be viewed until May 28. Here’s the complete list of this year’s winner’s:

Best in Show – (Tie)

• Brennan Cantin, École St. Mary, Gr. 11, “Burning House,” painting
• Tia-Lee McCallum, PACI, Gr. 12, “Corruption,” drawing

Creative Exploration Award (any medium), sponsored by Lemon Yellow Art Studio

• Evan DeBack, École St. Mary, Gr. 12, “Ligaments of the Joints,” drawing
  Evan Deback with Tia Furstenberg (left), owner and instructor at Lemon Yellow Art Studio. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Juicy Colour Award

• Zoe Kerr, Carlton Comprehensive, Gr. 11, “Blinding Lights”, drawing

Creative Clay Award

• Aeron Arpia, Cartlon Comprehensive, Gr. 9, “John” Mug, ceramic

Artistic Innovation Award

• Quinn Smith-Windsor, Carlton Comprehensive, Gr. 12, “Merida”, painting
  Smith-Windor was all smiles while accepting her well deserved award. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Juror’s Choice Award, sponsored by the John V. Hicks Fund

• Milla Merasty, Carlton Comprehensive, Gr. 11, “The Boy in the Mask,” drawing

Emerging Artist Award (any medium), sponsored by Lemon Yellow Art Studio

• Rachel Lao, Flex Ed School, Gr. 9, “The Chase”, painting

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell