The town of Cochrane is looking for Grade 12 art students from all three high schools to submit their paintings to be considered for the final spot in the 150 Brush Strokes project.
The project, started by Suzanne Goyetche, the Town of Cochrane and the Visitor Information Centre in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, is used to also celebrate Cochrane’s history.
“We wanted to have something that we could involve the community, the Visitor Centre and the artists,” Goyetche said.
Nine paintings are already being displayed in the Visitors Information Centre, such as the Men of Vision statue and MacKay’s Cochrane Ice Cream. Two more local artists have yet to submit their pieces, as those will be done in mid to late October. The paintings are currently for sale and have been turned into postcards, which have already travelled to countries such as Japan, Russia and Australia.
““We put a flat rate on prices for these paintings that would make it accessible for the public to be able to purchase a piece of fine artwork,” Goyetche said. “Out of that money, $150 will come out of each sale to be put towards an award for an art student at the end of the year.”
High school artists are encouraged to submit their 12 x 16 gallery-wrapped canvas paintings of historic Cochrane by Oct. 31. Goyetche is hoping that at least three students from each high school will enter their artwork into the project.
“We’re hoping to get enough submissions for when the judges make their decision on a winner, we have a second and third place to go along with the first place winner,” she said.
The award is for the top three finishes, who can then put that money towards furthering their academics in the art field.
Although the date has yet to be determined, there will be an official closing day, where the public can come out and purchase any paintings that may be left, as well as see all the artwork that is being featured from this project.
