In celebration of St. Albert’s 150th anniversary, local youth were asked, Take Your Best Shot, and they did with some stunning surprises.
Through a competition hosted by Musée Heritage Museum, budding photographers ages eight to 18 years turned their lens on the city, resulting in a vibrant palette of colour, energy and locales.
Different from previous 150th anniversary projects saluting the past, this photography exhibit was designed to look forward.
“We wanted to get creative input in how youth saw things in their community,” said curator Joanne White. “They’ve shown us places they like, but they’ve also given us insights into their hobbies, activities and interests.”
Standing in the centre of the 27-photograph exhibit that opened Tuesday, Nov. 22, director of heritage Ann Ramsden said: “When you look around, it’s not buildings but physical space that is important to them.”
And sure enough a quick scan reveals a tunnel of trees on Flagstone Crescent, the winding Sturgeon River, a silhouette of the grain elevators, several bridges, Lacombe Park, river valley trees and a patterned field of grain.
“Some are very personal, such as the ‘my bike’ photo, or the tree where a kid found an escape. Others it’s about places they go and things they do with friends,” White said.
For instance Jason, 14, focused his camera on a majestic tree on the Sturgeon River’s banks. In a panel beside the photo, he describes the landscape as a place his family has frequented for picnics and to de-stress.
Haley, 14, indirectly reveals her dreamy nature captured through an image of puffy white clouds shot while she was lying on her back at Ă©cole Secondaire St. Marguerite d’Youville’s soccer field.
There’s even a snapshot of a bison sculpture and miniature medieval warriors at Mission Fun and Games loading a cannon and preparing for battle.
White’s favourite is a memory picture taken by Maya, 9, of two children lazily swinging on a summery hammock.
Carter, 14, took his image of a chain link fence one step further and revealed how it symbolizes peoples' connections to each other.
Entries were in three categories – eight to 12 years, 13 to 15 years and 16 to 18 with three top winners.
Winners in the eight to 12 category are Alec’s curving trestle bridge shot, Maya’s hammock and Isabella’s river valley shot.
Tops in the 13 to 15 category are Evan’s fireworks shot, Carter’s Ă©cole Sir George Simpson image and Nicholas’ Mission Fun and Games photo.
Winners from the 16- to 18-year category are Dominique’s vibrant candies and Shelby’s tilted Farmer’s Market.
McBain Camera has donated gift cards and prize presentations are on Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. The exhibit is on display until Feb. 5, 2012.
