The Arts Whistler Student Art Award recognizes graduating students who have demonstrated artistic accomplishments in their academic and personal lives and are interested in pursuing their creative growth over the years to come. Congratulations to the 2022 recipients; we hope this award inspires you to continue exploring your artistic talents. Arts Whistler is very proud to play a small part in your future – we can’t wait to see what you do next!
Congratulations to the 2022 Grade 7 Student Art Awards recipients:
· Spring Creek Elementary School – Willow Stokes
· Signal Hill Elementary School – Liv Teitzel
· Whistler Waldorf School – Sophia Wallsten Simon
Congratulations to Takaya Maynard of Whistler Secondary School, Joshua Jeffers of Whistler Waldorf School, and Sara Westerholm of Pemberton Secondary School, the 2022 Grade 12 award recipients.
Read about their passion for the arts below.
TAKAYA MAYNARD | GRAPHIC DESIGN/FINE ART/PHOTOGRAPHY
Describe the type of art you do and why you chose this particular medium?
“I practice many different mediums of art. I am most passionate about graphic design, and have taken courses in media design, photography, fine arts, as well as specified courses in typography.”
Who or what inspired you to start this art form? And, what inspires you to continue?
“My late grandmother inspired me to start creating art. Through that initial introduction I have seeked out many opportunities to create and develop as an artist. I took a graphic design course in school and ever since I have been in love with this communicative form of art. I’ve also been inspired by many local photographers and artists.”
Do you intend to continue your art form in the future?
“I will be moving to London to study in the Central Saint Martins BA (Hons) Graphic Communication Design degree program. Once I’ve completed my degree, I would like to take what I’ve learned and apply it to a variety of different work experiences, furthering my knowledge and skills. I am very ambitious; I hope to work and travel to gain experience. I ultimately would like to end up in New York City, as it is the cutting edge of the industry.”
JOSHUA JEFFERS | MUSIC
Describe the type of art you do and why you chose this particular medium?
“My art is writing music. I started a band in year 7 when I was 12 or 13. We started with covers of songs and then quickly transitioned into me trying to write our own songs to play. Eventually, we had more band members and I had written almost enough songs for an album. Unfortunately this was right around the time of the first lockdown, nothing really happened with those songs other than a couple live performances that we had done. I continued to write music during the lockdown, however it wasn’t until around 7 months ago I decided to start writing again.”
“Throughout my early years of school there was singing and flute playing every morning. During these times there was an upright piano being played by the teacher. She would hold piano lessons after school and I saw one of my classmates during this lesson and was inspired, so I asked my mom to enroll me for these lessons. In the 4th grade I started Violin. Through out my teen years I started to learn more contemporary instruments like guitar, drums, and electric bass on my own volition. During year 12 I wanted to challenge myself and started to learn the double bass for my schools orchestra. It has been an enjoyable experience.”
Who or what inspired you to start this art form? And, what inspires you to continue?
“I can’t actually picture a time in my life where music was not a part of my life. From school to listening to albums with my mom in the car. The earliest songs I can remember was on some kind of greatest road trip album, and the only songs that I can remember from this particular album are songs that I asked her to play on repeat – they were American pie by Don Mclean, and Signs by Five Man Electrical Band.”
Do you intend to continue your art form in the future?
“Yes, I do intend to continue writing and playing music. I have written an album with my friend, and we are still working with a producer to get it mixed and mastered. Currently, I am co-writing another album with one of my friends – this will be more of an acoustic and strings sound. I am also planning for my own solo album. This is still a work in progress and conceptualizing my instruments, styles, and sound.”
SARA WESTERHOLM | THEATRE
Describe the type of art you do and why you chose this particular medium?
“Although I am a lover of almost every art form, I chose to submit my work in theatre because of my longstanding commitment to the art. The feeling being on a stage or filming for the screen gives me is absolutely unmatched.”
Who or what inspired you to start this art form? And, what inspires you to continue?
“My family and I are long-time movie lovers and I remember adoring the actors on the big screens from a very early age. I would imagine what it would be like if someday I was on that screen. This love for film continues to inspire me and push me towards my goal of becoming an actress. Ultimately, I want to inspire people, and maybe someday be an example for young kids who want to pursue acting. So that maybe, years down the line, another little girl from a small town will see me on the big screen and know that her dreams, can become a reality.”
Do you intend to continue your art form in the future?
“Yes, whether for the stage or for the screen, I plan to pursue acting beyond high-school. I have already begun to launch my career in acting, performing as an extra in a made-for-TV Christmas movie.”