Young artists celebrate Saskatchewan at Hazee Youth Art Awards

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Jolie Malo with her 2026 Hazee Youth Art Award. (Image Credit: Leah Garven)

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This year, 11-year-old Jolie Malo won the first-place Hazee Award, winning $500 and a $200 gift card to have her artwork framed.  

“My painting Where the Lily Grows represents the theme ‘Celebrate Saskatchewan’ by resembling the Saskatchewan flag from afar while also illustrating the prairie landscape from close up,” Malo wrote in her artwork description.  

The painting was completed on a piece of raw sawn wood from a woodshop in Borden, Sask., with each subject in the pictures representing a part of the province.  

Artistic Achievement – Prairie Kinship 

Akeira Anseth receiving her Artistic Achievement Award. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

The second-place senior award was given to 17-year-old Akeira Anseth, who won $300 and a $200 gift card to have her artwork framed.  

“Our province has a rich history of both First Nations and Métis, as well as European farming settlers,” Anseth wrote. “All aspects of these cultures have shaped Saskatchewan what we know today, and it is important that we celebrate together. So, for my artwork I wanted to represent the beauty of Saskatchewan through both histories.” 

Her artwork was made with acrylic paint and beadwork on a circle canvas, symbolizing connection and continuity.  

Creative Excellence – Nut Point and Hidden Current 

Two 16-year-old girls were presented with a Creative Excellence Award, receiving $100 each. Bethany Kokura’s Nut Point painting is based off her fond memories from Nut Point Camping Grounds in LaRonge.  

Bethany Kokura with her painting. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

“My brother and I would climb up the rock using the rope and would jump off (but we had to be just far enough, so we didn’t hit the sharp rocks) for fun, like a cheap water slide. I have great memories there with my family, and I wanted to share a snippet of my memories,” she wrote.  

Lyla Dirksen’s painting also represents the province’s natural beauty. 

Lyla Dirksen with her painting. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

“In the painting, I wanted to capture a very calming but also secretive moment in nature where everything feels so calming except the flowing river,” Dirksen wrote. 

Junior Achievements 

Three Junior Achievement awards were presented throughout the night, with each winner receiving $100. 

10-year-old Asher Shagan’s Land of the Living Skies painting features canola fields in the prairies with mountain peaks in the distance.  

Asher Shagan with his painting. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

“The dual dirt paths leading toward the horizon create a strong sense of depth and perspective to represent a journey or connection to the land,” his description read. 

11-year-old Yoonji Kim created her art A Night Filled with the Aurora with markers and colored pencils. 

Yoonji Kim with her Junior Achievement Award. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

“Our family gathers around a campfire to celebrate Saskatchewan and admire the sky and wildlife beneath the beautiful aurora. This is a place where nature and people shine together,” she wrote. 

For 10-year-old Linh Anh Nguyen, buffalo and sunsets represent Saskatchewan. 

Linh Anh Nguyen with her water color painting. (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW)

“A buffalo also connects to the grandfather teachings and has many stories,” she wrote. “One important teaching is respect. Respect is important in Saskatchewan because we learn about it in the grandfather teachings.” 

The Hazee Awards was created to honour the memory of the late Hazel Asmussen, an artist who encouraged others to pursue the arts.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com