Arcentales’ exquisite painting of Mother and Child on Christmas morning not only took first prize in the Grade 7-8 category, it so impressed the judges that we placed it on the front cover of our Christmas issue.
The 12-year-old Grade 7 student said she was inspired by the stained-glass windows in St. Leo’s Church in Etobicoke, Ont. After winning last year in the Grade 4-6 category with a Nativity scene depiction, Arcentales wanted something different this year.
“It’s only Mary and Jesus,” this time, she said. “I thought that would be good and Christmasy.”
She used metallic paint (a past Christmas gift) to achieve a stained-glass effect.
“I thought (the paint) would make it stand out more,” she said.
The winner in our Grade 1-3 category is Samantha Harvey, an eight-year-old Grade 3 student from Markham, Ont. The judges were impressed by the joyful simplicity of her colourful rendition of the Nativity comprising the Baby Jesus and magi.
In the Grade 4-6 category, Ava Maisonneuve is the winner for a detailed drawing of the Holy Family in the manger, backed by a brilliant night sky over Bethlehem. The Grade 4 student from Edmonton, Alta., impressed the judges with her attention to detail, and for reflecting the happiness and serenity of the first Christmas morning.
Each of the winners receives a prize of a $50 day at the movies.
Grade 7-8 FIRST PLACE by Jasmeen Arcentales, 12
Grade 1-3 FIRST PLACE by Samantha Harvey, 8
Grade 4-6 FIRST PLACE by Ava Maisonneuve, 9
Contest honourable mentions
