Alex is a world-renowned First Nations artist who currently lives in Cold Lake, Alberta. His contributions to the world of art and his numerous awards make him an ideal judge.  A recipient of so many awards we couldn’t possibly list them all, Alex’s notable achievements include being a member of the Order of Canada, winning the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and being a three-time recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation!

Regardless of Alex’s many accomplishments, he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down!  On Saturday, May 7, 2011 he will be hosting a show of his most recent art entitled “Coming Full Circle” at the Janvier Gallery in Cold Lake, Alberta from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m..

Please visit Alex’s website, www.alexjanvier.com, for more information, and we hope to see you there! (We are absolutely going!)

Thank you and congratulations Magnolia on a great job!

Learn more about Magnolia at: http://www.fieldlaw.com/lawyer_overview.asp?lawyerID=277

I’ll share some hints at the kind of celebrities you might find judging, what could be, your very own art work (ps, if you’re a student 12-18 years old living in Alberta or the NWT and have a Metis or First Nations heritage — this could be you!  Just submit your art!).

A few months ago we brainstormed: “If I were a youth entering this competition, what kind of people would I think were super cool judges”?!  And we said actors, NHL players, musicians, artists, TV hosts, dancers and more!  And then we contacted them!

And guess what?!  We heard back from some of them!  And they were really excited to be involved!

But like I said, I can’t tell you who just yet…

So consider this our “judging panel teaser” and keep checking back for the official announcements!

So spread the word!  Tell your friends, family and teachers!  Because we want to see what kind of skills our Albertan and Northwest Territory youth have to offer!

Art submissions need to be 8.5×11 (a regular size of paper) at smallest, and can be as large as 24×36 inches.  We’re interested in paintings, drawings, charcoal, pencil or any other medium you can think of as long as it’s 2-dimensional art.

And don’t forget, in addition to $500 cash, the winner of the competition will have their art published in one of Field Law’s holiday cards, so we’re especially interested to see how you can incorporate the theme of Metis and First Nations cultural traditions in the winter into your artwork.

Good luck!

We’re interested to see what kind of talent is out in the communities!  So please take the time to fill out the entry form so we can tell everyone how awesome YOUR art is!

To get a copy of Field Law’s Metis and First Nations Youth Art Competition entry form, click here.

If you can’t wait until then, keep checking in on our blog as we plan to post the link soon!

One week ago we were able to contact the United Nations in New York and gain approval for our art competiton to brand itself with the UN’s International Year of Youth.  We’re really excited about this because it was the driving force behind our entire idea!   And even more exciting is to see what the UN has been doing with all of their initiatives!  Check out their website: http://social.un.org/youthyear/ or follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/unyouthyear.