Hazee Award winner Brooklyn Hochbaum, centre, with her parents Krista and Norman Hochbaum at the show Wednesday. Brooklyn is shown with her piece "Nature's Beauty." (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Youth art competition

2021 Hazee Art Award winners announced at Chapel Gallery ceremony

Oct 21, 2021 | 1:00 PM

It was an exciting evening for a number of talented youth who took part in the Hazee Art Awards for Young Artists competition this year.

Five winners were announced at the Hazee awards ceremony at the Chapel Gallery Wednesday evening.

Brooklyn Hochbaum won $500 for the Artist of the Year Award, known as the Hazee Award, for her acrylic on canvas painting of a soft pink coloured flower in bloom called “Nature’s Beauty.”

Award winner Jihoon Koo, shown with Nora and Rob Rongve, and Koo’s piece “Garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace.” (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

There was a tie for the second place runner up award. Normally the award is for a $300 prize. In this case, the two winners each received $300 as Friends of Hazel Asmussen donated additional funds to reward both artists who came in second place.

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Artist Jihoon Koo was recognized for his piece “Garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace,” set in South Korea. And the artist Keira Lewis Flauth, who was not present at the ceremony, was honoured for a painting called “Imaginary World,” featuring four lynx in a forested area, with a bright yellow sun overhead.

Left to right, award winner Nola Iron shown with Nora and Rob Rongve, and manager of galleries Leah Garven. Iron’s piece depicts an Indigenous woman in beautiful regalia. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

For Creative Excellence, two artists were awarded a prize of $100 each: Nola Iron was honoured for her untitled acrylic-on-canvas painting of an Indigenous woman adorned in resplendent blue regalia, inspired by the vibrant colours of nature.

Another artist Ainsley Orobko, who was not present at the show, was recognized for an oil-on-canvas piece entitled “Water and Wetlands,” that features a white crane reflecting on the river bed. The theme of the work is the importance of protecting the water.

There were also nine artists at the show who were recognized as Honourable Mentions in the competition.

The aim of the awards event is to celebrate art and artists in the community, and encourage more youth to pursue the arts.

Curator and manager of galleries for the City of North Battleford Leah Garven said she was pleased with the success of this year’s ceremony.

Following COVID-19 protocols, attendees provided proof of vaccination at the door or a recent negative COVID-19 testing result before entering.

“Imaginary World” by Keira Lewis Flauth, left, and “Water and Wetlands” by Ainsley Orobko, right. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

About 65 people came out for Wednesday’s event. Last year the show was cancelled due to the pandemic. The popular competition first started in 2019.

“We had more art entries this year,” Garven said. “We are really just thrilled with the turnout. I was telling the young artists that it’s highly commendable for them to carry out their vision and finish off their project, and have the courage to hang their art publicly. They are all really award winners for me anyway.”

The Rob and Nora Rongve Family Fund initiated the Youth Art Competition in memory of their friend and local artist, Hazel “Hazee” Asmussen, who passed away just over 10 years ago. They also provided the cash prizes for the young award winners.

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow