12 regional winners were selected from 263 entries
Jude Scheppele, a graduate of Caribou High School, and recent graduate of the Graphic Design program at Holland College, Charlottetown, PEI, has won the regional award in the 13th annual BMO 1st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition, honoring visual arts excellence in post-secondary institutions in Canada for his digital illustration, Dysmorphia.
Representing the best of Canada’s next generation of artists, the national winner and 12 regional winners were selected from 263 entries, one of the highest submission numbers since the competition started in 2003. The national winner receives $10,000 and regional winners each receive $5,000.
All of the BMO 1st Art! winners’ works will be on display at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at the University of Toronto from Oct. 22 to Dec. 18, 2015.
Scheppele is pleased his work will be seen by many.
“One of my biggest joys as an artist is making an experience, for myself and the viewer. Winning the BMO Award for PEI means that so many more people can be involved in this experience. Everyone will respond differently, but to know that I am connected to these people, and that everyone will have different thoughts about my work, is very exciting to me.
“I hope I can make some people a little happier from my piece, or even just give them something to think about. That’s all I have really ever wanted as an artist, and now I know I have achieved it,” Scheppele said.
Graphic design instructor April Condon said Scheppele’s achievement in this national competition was well-deserved. “ I am so happy that Jude gets to showcase his talent and receive recognition on a national level. This is such a great opportunity for new artists and I’m glad that Jude gets to be the person that represents our college and province.”
