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Teen art showcase sees diversity of talent

There was a wolf, a beloved family pet, a baby deer mask, plenty of anime, some abstracts depicting social commentary and even a 3D bear carving on display at the first annual Teen Art Showcase presented in partnership between the Prince George Commu
Teen art showcase sees diversity of talent_0
17-year-old Juri Sudo-Rustad was the winner of the Best Overall award at the first ever Prince George Teen Art Showcase on Saturday afternoon at Prince George Public Library. Sudo-Rustad’s untitled anime piece was done with Copic markers, her medium of choice.

There was a wolf, a beloved family pet, a baby deer mask, plenty of anime, some abstracts depicting social commentary and even a 3D bear carving on display at the first annual Teen Art Showcase presented in partnership between the Prince George Community Arts Council and the public library.

The event took place Saturday afternoon in the Keith Gordon Room where the art mostly hung on the walls while attendees were encouraged to engage in conversation with their neighbours in the lounge-like seating areas.

From the 28 pieces of artwork submitted by those in Grades 8 to 12 there were five top prizes recognizing most original, best use of materials, people's choice, best overall and social commentary. The best in each of the five categories was awarded $200 each, provided by the Kiwanis Club of Prince George.

Juri Sudo-Rustad, a Grade 12 Kelly Road secondary student, took best overall for her piece that showcased her Copic marker skills, which captured a moment in the Manga story, Boku ni Hana no Melancholy, about childhood friends once separated who come together in the end.

"The Copic markers are really easy to blend, way better than pencil crayons, I think," Sudo-Rustad said, who enjoys bringing to life the characters in the stories she reads.

Sudo-Rustad said she has liked making art for as long as she can remember and found anime really spoke to her. In the future she'd like to pursue a career in art but for right now, it's all about being practical and she'll turn her artistic talent towards the culinary program at the College of New Caledonia this fall after she graduates high school.

"I was so surprised," Sudo-Rustad said about winning the top prize and receiving $200, which will go towards purchasing the colours missing from her Copic marker collection.

"We were trying to find a way to bring more teens to the library," Amy Dhanjal, communications coordinator for the library, said. "And also give them a sense of ownership over this space (Keith Gordon Room) and we thought a teen art show might do the trick."