Artist-of-the-Year Cazea Johnstone, right, and her piece called "Our Way," with the Hazee Awards founders Rob and Nora Rongve. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Youth art competition

Hazee Award winners announced

Apr 28, 2023 | 12:13 PM

It was a night of celebration when the fourth annual Hazee Awards were presented at the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford, Thursday.

The art competition is open to young artists, from ages seven to 20, from within a 100-kilometer radius of the Battlefords.

This year, there were 21 entries in total, ranging from youth in Grades 2 to 12. Artist of the Year received $500; the runner-up, the Artistic Achievement Award, $300; and for Creative Excellence two artists were honoured with a reward of $100 each. The Junior Artistic Achievement Award winner, for Grades 3 and under, also received $100.

Honorariums and junior achievement awards were also given out.

Here are the Hazee Award winners: Artist of the Year Award went to Cazea Johnstone for her piece called “Our Way.” The Artistic Achievement Award was given to Monika Hardi for “The View.” Two Creative Excellence Awards were given – to Piper Kent for “Homeward Bound,” and to Mikayla Wisner for “Mother Earth.” For the Junior Artistic Achievement Award, Myah Edwards was the recipient for her piece “Northern Light Galaxy.”

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As well, Honorariums were announced for six recipients: Aryn Honoroski for “The Beach,” Rose Hoffman for “A Home Under the Dancing Sky,” Jolie Malo for “Silly Cityscape,” Flynn Kramer for “Bluebird Painting,” Natalie Voigt for “Mushrooms,” and Brianna Gratton for “Where it Began.” Malo was not able to attend the ceremony.

Left, youth Mikayla Wisner with her piece called “Mother Earth,” and, right, Piper Kent with her work entitled “Homeward Bound.” (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Curator and manager of galleries with the City of North Battleford, Leah Garven, said the Hazee Awards continue to be a great way to recognize young artists and promote the arts in the Battlefords area.

The theme for the show this year was “Our gathering places, social events, and our place in nature.”

“The theme was really strong this year,” Garven said. “We noticed the artists really designed and conceived their art with a strong connection to the theme, and expanded on that in the narrative.”

Left, Myah Edwards with her painting called “Northern Light Galaxy,” and, right, Monika Hardi, with her wood work piece called “The View.” (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Acclaimed local Bluegrass and Country musician Jake Vaadeland performed prior to the awards show.

The annual Hazee Awards competition was spearheaded by Rob and Nora Rongve as a tribute to the memory of the late Hazel Asmussen, a dedicated artist who inspired others to share her joy of the craft. The “Rob and Nora Rongve Family Fund” sponsors the event as a way to encourage youth interested in the visual arts.

Rob noted there were not as many entries as last year, but said “the quality is fantastic.”

“I think the whole point is just to have some fun with youth and see what they are capable of,” Rongve said. “You’ll see the talent is amazing.”

He mentioned Ezit Froneman, who was one of the art teachers in the Battlefords, moved away least year. She used to encourage many youth to enter the competition. Rongve said hopefully the awards entries will continue to grow over time as more people hear about it.

The Hazee Awards exhibition will be on display until May 14.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow