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Concert-goers who turned out for a performance by Susan Aglukark at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts last week had an added bonus of a small art show.

On display were two pieces of art done by Notre Dame students, the winning pieces from the school's spring art contest, organized by teacher Theresa Eppich.

Keira Lewis-Fauth, was the grand prize winner of the upper elementary category. Her drawing featured a favourite subject.

"I love to draw wolves. So for my art I drew a wolf," says Keira. "I love art and everything about it. My passion is to be a huge artist in this world and I hope that dream comes true."

Pre-K student Timea Sivc, grand prize winner of the lower elementary category, said, "I made some sky, and some big trees. There is a baby dinosaur and a mommy dinosaur giving him some food. There is a swamp with lots of water. I love making pictures."

The artists and their families were on hand for the display of the winning artworks May 26 along with their proud teacher.

Eppich says, "Art is a passion of mine. Although I teach all of the subjects, I work within our school to promote art development and engagement."

Eppech says she believes art tells the story of people all across the world and in our local community over time. 

She adds, "I also believe that art in its various forms – music, visual, drama and dance has the ability to heal and nurture us as people, to help us grow to be the people we can become." 

Eppich, since coming to the Battlefords a few years ago, has been working to connect students to art in the community and she says she has seen a positive response to her efforts.

"We have an art club at our school that has had local artists like Ljubica Hardi volunteer to give workshops," says Eppich.

"This year, Holly Hildebrand, another local artist, is working with our art club, which has been wonderful."

Out of the club program came art contests.

"To further develop this student-art-community-engagement I have been running student art contests at our school," says Eppich. "Some prizes we have had for these contests vary from 'lunch with an artist' to musical instruments, to having student art displayed at the Dekker Centre."

For the spring contest, she says, Dekker Centre manager Moe McGuinty graciously agreed to student art being displayed in the lobby during a spring performance for a second year. 

"This is a great opportunity for students," says Eppich.

She adds, "Another member of our community, Jocelyne Schmunk, owner of Artrageous, agreed to donate framing of the winning entries for our art contest."

In addition, Pottery Playhouse donated free pottery classes for the upper elementary category.

Eppich says it all represents the generosity of a community where the arts is supported in subtle and unassuming ways that may not even be noticed, yet it paves the way for the next generation of artists who will one day tell our stories.