High School Students Fight Climate Change with Posters

Green Venture and CleanAir Hamilton partnered to host the Fighting Climate Change Poster contest for Hamilton high school students.

Students were asked to create posters to inspire their fellow students to fight climate change by taking either direct (turning off the lights) or indirect (standing up for a cause) action. Paul and I, with the help of all the GV staff, students, and friends, spread the word throughout Hamilton. Students were enticed with the promise of cash prizes and publicity for their work.

The Entries Rolled In

The entries were due on March 3rd and as of March 1st we still hadn’t seen any posters. Then came the rush! Over the course of those two days, almost 40 entries came in to EcoHouse ranging from paintings, to collages, to digital creations. The entries blew us away with their diversity and quality. Paul and I spent a fun afternoon hanging them at the Sky Dragon Community Centre (27 King William) on Monday, March 7 to get them ready for judging on 8th.

Judging

Gabe hard at work judging the posters

The judging session wasn’t easy for our local judges who included our own Sapphire Singh (of Green Venture, RevWear, and Hamilton Farmers’ Market) representing the Hamilton art community, Brian Montgomery (CleanAir Hamilton) representing the Hamilton environmental community, and outdoor educator Gabe Camozzi representing Hamilton’s education community. After almost two hours of consideration the top six works where chosen—all from different schools across Hamilton.

First: Turn Out the Lights by Shannon, Parkside High, Grade 10

Second: Chance by Annie, Westdale Seconday, Grade 11

Third: Local by Soomin, Highland Secondary, Grade 11

Honourable mention: Global Invaders by Lucas, McNab Secondary, Grade 12

 

Honourable mention: Fire and Ice by Hannah, Ancaster High School, Grade 12

Honourable mention: Natural Filter by Lauren, St. Mary Catholic Secondary, Grade 9

Celebrating All Entries

All the works were debuted at the March Art Crawl and will hang at the SkyDragon through until the next Art Crawl exhibit takes the stage (around April 8th). In addition, some of the top works will tour around and make appearances in publications. The top 6 have already made a stop at the RevWear show a few weekends back.

All the students clearly have a passion for the environment which they combined with artistic talent to share in many unique and outstanding ways. We are honoured to have the chance to share their works with you so please take some time to go by the SkyDragon and appreciate the amazing works of Hamilton High School students.

 

Cheers,

Clare