Peace Hills Trust showcases Aboriginal art

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Hundreds of people gathered at the Wingate Inn on Oct. 23 to celebrate the winners of the 21st annual Peace Hills Trust First Nations Art Competition. The evening included a luncheon, a dance performance, speeches and an opening prayer done by renowned artist Allen Sapp.

Several paintings from Aboriginal artists across Canada dotted the lobby and hallway of the hotel as people stood munching on finger foods and sipping on their drinks. While the first place winner's work will be displayed in the reception area of Peace Hills Trust in Edmonton, the second and third place winners will be replicated on a Christmas card or desk calendar.

Chris Lynch-Aquart is from Cold Lake in northern Alberta, but now calls Calgary home. He took home the first place win of $2,000, a certificate and a calendar displaying his work entitled Ancestral Reminiscence, which is a portrait of his good friend Melanie Parsons.

"I took a photograph of her and I painted it from that. She is the one who inspired me. I would say to the youth, we must keep educating ourselves and we have to explore every possibility for our accomplishments," he said.

Lynch-Aquart, who also came in first in the 1999 Peace Hills Trust competition, said the did not expect to win this time because he is aware that everyone has different tastes in artwork and it depends on who the judges are.

"The award evening was really good. There was a lot of people, lots of support."

A full-time career as an artist is not what Lynch-Aquart is looking for right now. He said that he is comfortable with his job so that is what he is concentrating on.

Warren Hannay, president and chief executive officer of Peace Hills Trust, said they receive hundreds of submissions of art each year. He said that although 300 pieces were displayed during the show, a couple of hundred pieces from schools across the country were not shown during the evening because they did not have the room.

Hannay said he was happy to see a lot of past winners and a lot of the artists who submitted their works attend the celebration.

"We were flattered that Allen was able to make it. Obviously, when we can have Allen Sapp attend our ceremony with his artwork, well that was great. I thought it was a good evening and I thought that the Wingate Hotel did a great job. . .

"This art show is for artists who are just starting and establishing themselves. They get exposure whether they come in first, second or third. All three winners have their art work become a part of the permanent Peace Hills Art collection, so it is not just the money, this really showcases the Aboriginal artists," said Hannay.