A downtown Penticton accounting office known for giving back to the community is at it again, this time putting on an art competition for young artists with bursaries and money prizes.
Long-Haggerty Robertson LLP is hosting the art competition for South Okanagan youth ages Kindergarten to Grade 12 with one Grade 12 winner receiving a $500 bursary. There will be three prizes for Grades 1 through 11 and one prize for Kindergarten.
The winner in the Kindergarten category will get a backpack filled with art supplies.
“The theme is Harry Potter because, well, we all love Harry Potter in our office. In fact, we have named each office, room and person with a Harry Potter theme,” said Jane Long-Haggerty.
This is their first time doing a youth artist competition, but the idea came after hosting Steve Coombs in the Art Walk at the end of April.
“Many people came in and saw his gorgeous art, but also saw some artwork by our kids. Everyone seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of their art,” she said.
“We originally thought how fun it would be to add some youth artists to our location for the Art Walk next year (and will be looking to do so.) However, as we thought more about it, we thought – why wait? Kids are in the last bit of school, many looking to pursue post-secondary, which can be expensive, so we wanted to help.” Long-Haggerty also said many times, the arts are overlooked, and they want to encourage creativity.
They’ve already had some calls and e-mails already about the types of art that apply – for example painting, sketches, figurines, statues, songs, dramatic productions, gaming cartoons, stories all count as they are all forms of art.
“We can’t wait to see what these youth artists come up with,” said Long-Haggerty. “We are hoping to make this an annual competition with a different theme each year.”
Submissions to be made in person at Long-Haggerty Robertson LLP on or before Friday, June 24. Winners will be announced Monday, June 27.
Artwork will be displayed at Long-Haggerty Robertson LLP through the end of the summer.
This comes after a busy tax season where Long-Haggerty Robertson once again held its food bank fundraiser. Anyone willing to make a donation of food or cash would get a discount on their tax services. In total $4,309 was raised with $2,367 and 1,242 pounds of food and toiletries going to Penticton Salvation Army Food Bank plus $742 going to Penticton’s Purple Pantry and other South Okanagan food banks.
READ MORE: Penticton chartered accountant wins award, launches 2nd food drive campaign
For more information, e-mail admin@lhrllp.ca or call 250-770-0184.