Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - Kayleigh Semeniuk

One local student has been blessed with recognition in an International art contest.

Celebrating Art sponsors contests for student artists throughout Canada and the United States, and Kayleigh Semeniuk’s submission was selected from over one thousand entries as one of the ten best in her grade division.

Her piece was selected for its creativity, originality, self-expression, craftsmanship and skill. The grade 12 student’s work will now receive special recognition in the art anthology Celebrating Art.

“It was actually quite amazing to get the email saying I was a top ten winner,” says Semeniuk, who will be studying graphic design at the Centre for Arts and Technology in Kelowna after graduation.

“I usually try to find things that are local, such as the ArtWalk this past September… but I did it for a friend, he requested I draw this piece for him.”

After careful choosing, she decided to go with a Star Wars theme and submitted a drawing of Padmé Amidala, the young queen of the planet Naboo, hoping the judges would be drawn to it.

“I had done her previously, in 2010 and also before that, but neither of those pieces were really great, they were done in a more amateur manner,” says Semeniuk.

“I usually like to do my favorite characters a couple of times over a couple of years and just see how much I improve and it ended up being my favorite Star Wars drawing that I’ve done. “

She says her talent comes from her father, and it must run in the family because her brother is also a previous Celebrating Art winner for his poetry.

“I do it a lot, its one of my favorite things to do and now its kind of my profession,” she says.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my friends and family, they’re definity the inspiration behind my work.”

CelebratingArt.com has awarded over $20,000 to students and teachers since 2010 and offers contests for students K-12.