Bad news, folks. While I’ve been trying to beat the system of institutionalized yoga in Vancouver and eat my weight in 5-year old cheddar, eleventh-grader Celine Chan has been launching The Greater Vancouver Art Contest, a completely student-run and organized contest for students all across Greater Vancouver. Addressing the need for more local art contests for youth, Chen invites art students from Grade 8-12 to participate and to expose their talent to the rest of the community. “Our vision,” says Chen, “is to transform the public’s perception of art, but most importantly, give the youth of Greater Vancouver an opportunity to express their creativity.”
Sad Mag: Who are you?
Celine Chen: I am a Grade 11 student at Mulgrave School in West Vancouver. I am a passionate art student, who loves exploring new frontiers with what I can create. I also love to spend my time looking other artists’ works on the Internet.
SM: How are you getting involved in the art scene in Vancouver?
CC: Well, founding this art contest is definitely my biggest involvement in the art scene. I want the art contest to become a catalyst for artistic growth in Greater Vancouver.
SM: What was the first artistic endeavor that you felt proud of?
CC: At our school, we have an annual Spring Gala. Each class from the Junior School (Gr. K-6) would create an art piece that would be sold in the Gala. During recess one day in Grade 3, I drew an abstract picture based on geometric shapes and showed it to my teacher. Later on, my teacher decided that this design would be the one our class would create as our Gala piece!
SM: What do you think the art scene in Vancouver is lacking?
CC: Vancouver is lacking a place for young artists to share their work.
SM: Favourite Vancouver artist(s)?
CC: I have recently discovered the works of Jeanne Krabbendam and I love the way she works with mixed media.
SM: Favourite artistic medium?
CC: I’ve just started experimenting with more advanced mediums this year. Other than acrylics and oil paint, I like clay and digital art. The picture of me with the brightly coloured canvas is my latest piece. It is made of origami paper and glue. The piece is called “Full Bloom” and is inspired by the theme of repetition. For many people, repetition means monotonous, boring routines. Instead, I wanted to change their perspective and show the hidden beauty and intricacy in repeating simple elements.
In the second photo, the piece is called “One Thousand Hands,” and made out of plaster of paris, plaster bandages, and wood. I aspired to encompass both themes of ‘play’ and ‘minimalism’ in this work as well as explore the evolution of hand actions in Chinese culture. As a silent form of communication, hand gestures can hold more meaning, value, and significance than words themselves.
SM: Best Vancouver venue for seeing art?
CC: I see a lot of nice art all over the streets of Vancouver.
SM: Where are you as you answer these questions?
CC: The comfort of my own home.
SM: Last album you listened to?
CC: Believe Acoustic by Justin Bieber 
Great music taste, I know.
SM: What are you most excited about right now?
CC: To see the contest submissions of all the talented youth in Greater Vancouver and the MeToWe trip to Kenya this summer with my school!
The Greater Vancouver Art Contest is open to youth from grades 8-12 in the Lower Mainland. There are two categories: Junior (gr. 8-10) and Senior (gr. 11-12). The online showcase will be from May 1st to May 7th. The winners will be announced on May 6th.
Prizes include more than $1500 of art goodies and an opportunity to display your work in the Art Starts Gallery!
Check contest website for more details