Contest win inspires painter

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Linus Woods hasn't done a lot of painting since his father passed away, but his surprise win at a national art contest has given him a surge of artistic energy.

Woods won first place at the Peace Hills Trust eighteenth annual First Nations art contest Sept. 24.

"I was surprised," said Woods. "This contest is great for anybody who is talented. It's pretty good. There was a lot of good work in the show. I could have picked a lot of first prizes besides mine."

The artist, who hails from the Long Plains First Nation in Manitoba, also won the contest in 1991 and is now the first artist to win first prize twice.

In addition to winning cash prizes, first, second and third prize winners in the adult competition have their pieces added to the Peace Hills Trust First Nations Art Collection.

As first-place winner, Wood's art is showcased in the Peace Hills wall calendar that is distributed across Canada. Second-place winner Jerry Whitehead of Vancouver has his piece featured in a desk calendar, and third-place winner Rocky Barstad of High River has his work in Christmas cards this year.

The competition also included three youth categories. Troy David Jesse Kehler of Winnipeg won in the nine and under age group; Barry Joseph Rain of Edmonton won in the 10 to 13 age group; and Shay Cutknife of Hobbema won in the 14 to 17 category.

"The recognition for the younger ones is enough for the. It's not so much the money. I think it's just being recognized," said Peace Hills Trust president Warren Hannay. "Although they do receive small cash prizes as well."

As the contest is organized to encourage emerging artists, established artists such as Jane Ash Poitras, Alex Janvier, and Morris Cardinal were on hand to offer their support.

President of the Aboriginal Achievement Awards Foundation John Kim Bell and Edmonton city councillor Wendy Kinsella also attended.

"I would say we had around 500 people attend this year," said Hannay.

The win has given Woods a boost to continue pursuing his art career.

"My dad passed away this spring and I quit painting all summer. I lost interest," said Woods. "That painting I won for this time was one I did in 1998 that my mom entered, and so now I'm starting to paint again. I want to get 10 paintings done and send them right away to do a show."