Art is for everyone. Several years ago, two art teachers from Lakes District Secondary School decided to showcase student creativity throughout the district by hosting a festival for the visual and performing arts.

To ensure that students would be encouraged to enter regardless of skill level, they decided the festival would have few restrictions. “We have everything from video entries and Powerpoint presentations to singing and stand-up comedy,” Kim explains. “And for the visual arts, students are allowed to work in any medium on any surface.” For example, one 2005 entry was painted on the hood of a car.

The Alternative Arts Festival has been held annually since that time, organized by drama teacher Rayanne Charlie, visual art teacher/counsellor Kim Dezamits and Walt Vanderkamp, the media arts teacher. The festival offers cash prizes worth a total of $2000.00 as an added incentive to encourage young performers and artists to participate.

“I’ve been drawing since I could hold a crayon,” says Rebecca Comeau, who was awarded first place for the junior division in visual arts. Rebecca participated in the festival as a 14 year-old Grade 9 student in 2005.