LETHBRIDGE – Prizes have been awarded to the three winners of the first #YQL Expressions of Reconciliation Art and Media contest. Each of the winners was presented with a cash prize on Friday, December 14 at the Lethbridge Public Library.
First Place: “Celebrating Our Differences” by Gabby Hartgerink ($350 – Sponsored by Reconciliation Lethbridge)
Second Place: “Modern Day Warrior” by Bryon Anderson ($200 – Sponsored by United Way)
Third Place: “Winds of Change” by Katelyn Miller and Kenny Bresson-Adams ($150 – Sponsored by Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network)
The contest, a collaboration between the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee, the United Way, and the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network, was launched as part of the city’s annual Reconciliation Week in September.
Amanda Scout, Co-Chair of the city’s Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee said that a call for artwork presented a good opportunity to acknowledge the past, and look to the future.
“Art creates opportunities for conversation and dialogue that we can use to build a stronger society,” she said. “It encourages us to look inside ourselves, and find ways to educate ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”
In all, six works were submitted by artists of all ages. Each piece expressed the artist’s interpretation of what reconciliation looks, sounds or feels like for our community. United Way’s Director of Operations, Janelle Marietta-Vasquez said she was pleased with the variety, and creativity of the submissions.
“The idea for an art and media contest came about as a way to encourage non-Indigenous organizations and community members to become active participants in reconciliation,” she said. “Creative expression has a pretty broad definition, so we felt it would be accessible for most people. Each piece speaks towards a positive, hopeful future for reconciliation in Lethbridge.
As Co-Chair of the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee, Mayor Chris Spearman agreed that it was appositive step towards reconciliation.
“I am pleased to see this type of collaboration and creativity between our community and the organizations leading the reconciliation work in Lethbridge,” he said. “It’s an engaging and meaningful way to open up the conversation about what reconciliation means in our community.”
All six submissions will be on display at the Lethbridge Public Library main branch into the New Year.
For more information, please contact United Way at 403-327-1700 or email together@lethbridgeunitedway.ca
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Winners Announced in #YQL Expressions of Reconciliation Art & Media Contest
