Ali Lutick is 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Junior Centennial Artist.
A panel of three judges chose Lutick鈥檚 I Hate Being Bipolar, It鈥檚 Awesome as the best work by a local artist under the age of 19. The acrylic painting, completed in approximately five hours, was described by one judge as 鈥渋nteresting, creative, and unique, [with] good flowing lines.鈥� Another member of the panel said it was 鈥渁 bold work that pulled viewers in and left them wanting to know the story behind it.鈥�
As 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Junior Centennial Artist, Lutick received the $1,000 first prize and a $100 gift certificate for art supplies from Process 4 Gallery in 亚洲天堂 Lake. She said it was an honour to win the competition.
鈥淚t means a lot to have this opportunity to share my art and get to see 鈥� and, hopefully, learn from 鈥� the other artists and their work,鈥� said Lutick. 鈥淚t feels really good to know that other people appreciate my art. I know there are many incredible artists in this area so I鈥檓 a bit surprised and very grateful [to win].鈥�
Lutick, a student at Lakes District Secondary School, hopes to travel after graduation and says the prize money she earned will help cover the cost of her adventures 鈥� which include creating more art.
鈥淚 would love to pursue a career in art of any kind,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 love creating music, paintings, clay sculptures, etc. I plan on traveling to learn from other cultures and gain a new perspective.鈥�
As 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Junior Centennial Artist, Lutick also earned a spot in the plein air semi-final of The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist, where she will have a shot at the competition鈥檚 grand prize: a commission to create a two-dimensional work of art representing or reflecting on 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 first hundred years.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very exciting to have this opportunity, and I鈥檓 so happy to gain more experience and possibly more money to put towards my future,鈥� she noted.
If Lutick chooses not to compete in the plein air segment of the competition, her spot in the semi-final will go to the junior centennial artist runner-up, Lela Thiessen. Thiessen, whose stained glass Teal Crystal Dragon took 18 hours to complete, thinks it would be a great opportunity and something she might want to do.
As runner-up, Thiessen earned $750 and a $50 gift certificate for art supplies. She says she will probably put the prize money toward her post-secondary education.
鈥淚 do hope to pursue a career in the arts,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter I graduate in June, I am starting a fine arts degree at CNC in the fall.鈥�
The third-place finisher in The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist junior competition was 13-year-old Lily Shively, whose work Butterflies impressed the judges and earned her a $500 prize and a $50 gift certificate for art supplies.
鈥淚t was a unique work with a deeper meaning that captivated me,鈥� stated one of the judges. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rare to see this level of introspection in such a young artist.鈥�
Cameron Hart, vice-president of the Lakes District Museum Society, presented the three finalists with their awards.
鈥淚t has been a pleasure for all of us in the museum society to celebrate the immense artistry and skill of the Lakes District in our community鈥檚 hundredth year,鈥� Hart said after the presentation. 鈥淭he junior artist entries were fantastic, and we were blown away by their display of talent. We are very excited for the main event this summer.鈥�
Seven other junior artists 鈥� Katelyn Bergeron, Cimono Betemps, Hailey Krause, Emma MacWilliam, Mikahla Magel, Izzy Mills, and Samantha Platt 鈥� received honourable mentions for their submission pieces. Each will receive a $50 gift certificate.
The plein air segment of The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist kicks off July 8 at Spirit Square. Eighteen talented artists with close ties to the Lakes District will be competing for the grand prize of $2,000.
Anyone wanting more information on The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist can contact the museum by telephone (250-692-7450) or email (ldmuseumsociety@gmail.com).
