Six students win Vanier College Art and Photography Scholarships

Vanier College is pleased to announce the winners of two important Vanier art and photography scholarship competitions. The first-time winners of the newly created Vanier College Foundation Art Acquisition Scholarship are Hrad Jean Kedjakoushian, Wessel Brussen, and Kayla-Alana O'Reilly, all graduates of the Communication, Media and Studio Arts Program. As well, this year’s winners of the Peter Gonda Memorial Scholarship in Photography are Gerald Daniel Nino in first place, Charlotte Rainville in second, and Bashir Al Mahayni in third.

“The Vanier Student Art Acquisition Scholarship is truly unique in the CEGEP network as it provides a concrete opportunity for Vanier’s aspiring student artists to receive recognition for their work both in monetary terms as well as in exposure at the College. This $2,000 annual scholarship, which was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Vanier College Foundation, will hopefully encourage our students to pursue their artistic passions while the College will benefit from amassing a bank of art work that can be displayed throughout our campus,” said John McMahon, Vanier College’s Director General.

Created in winter 2017, the Vanier College Foundation Art Acquisition Scholarship aims to promote student success and highlight student artwork by purchasing it and displaying it in various areas of the college. At the same time, this scholarship offers financial support to students and will contribute to an art bank that will help showcase the talents of our students in disciplines such as photography, sculpture, drawing and painting.

Vanier College Foundation Art Acquisition Scholarship

Recipients of the Vanier College Foundation Art Acquisition Scholarship received a total of $2000. Hrad Jean Kedjakoushian, received $900 for his photography triptych mounted on Dibond aluminum; Wessel Brussen, received $575 for his framed oil painting; and Kayla-Alana O'Reilly, received $525 for her framed pencil drawing.

Hrad Kedjakoushian who is now studying Art History at Concordia University eventually wants to become a photographer. “This year I plan to start my own photography business for professional photoshoots… I will continue to make my own creative art and will explore new realms within photography,” he said.

Wessel Brussen is also planning to continue his studies in art. “I am focused on developing the technical capabilities and beginning the thought process of a young progressing creative. I am primarily interested in painting and drawing, specifically portraiture. In my work I examine how technology affects the perception of the current and future generations.”

Kayla-Alana O’Reilly, who is also studying Art History and Film Studies at Concordia, eventually wants to become a teacher. Her winning pencil drawing was part of a series for a fund raising event supporting the SPCA. Entitled “The Rescuers” the series featured rescue animals. “I really enjoyed being a positive influence on someone’s life which in this case was the SPCA, but in order to continue doing that I would like to teach and influence students’ lives for the better.”

Peter Gonda Memorial Scholarship winners

 The Peter Gonda Memorial Scholarship in Photography was created in 2017 in memory of Peter Gonda who passed away on August 20th 2016 at the age of 47. He was a Montreal-based artist, novelist and screenwriter. One of his main passions was photography. The Peter Gonda Memorial Scholarship, valued at $600, is awarded annually to any Vanier College student who demonstrates original photographic works. The first prize is $300, the second prize is $200 and the third prize is $100.

The photographs of first prize winner, Gerald Daniel Nino who is currently studying Communications, Media and Studio Arts, showcase the nightlife of Tokyo, Japan. “As a street photographer … night photography is the most challenging aspect in this practice and Tokyo's countless illuminated street signs and billboards gave me such ease to capture moments and subjects that stood out to me the most.”

Second prize winner, Charlotte Rainville says she **“**has always been immensely passionate about photography, drawing, writing, graphic design, video production, and many more artistic domains. Through my works, I try to connect with my subjects to explore the subjects of self-esteem, feminism, mental health, male vulnerability as well as expand own creative limits by trying different things.”

Third prize winner, Bashir Al Mahayni says, “As a dancer, I am inspired by movement. I am interested by the notions of space and time through movements and moments. In my photographs, I captured performers doing different actions – movements and positions – because I want to reveal the relationship of human body with its environment and temporal reality.”