Leduc Art Club

Seijah Koopmans

As someone who grew up in Leduc and has always loved creating, participating in the Black Gold Rodeo Art Competition & Exhibition means a lot to me. There are not many opportunities for young visual artists to share our work, so having the chance to display a piece within my own community feels incredibly meaningful.

This opportunity has also encouraged me to challenge myself and grow as an artist. I pushed beyond my comfort zone by working on an unconventional canvas size, which forced me to think differently about my composition. I also chose to work with a medium I have very little experience with. Without this competition, I likely would not have given myself the opportunity to explore something so new.

As a university student who chose to pursue science rather than the arts, I do not always have the time opportunities to focus on this side of myself. This exhibition gave me a reason to create again with intention, while exploring a subject matter I have not often used in my work. Having a purpose and set of guidelines helped me reconnect with something that has always been important to me.

Beyond that, this opportunity also gives me a chance to use my art as something more than just a hobby. Having the chance to sell my art through the exhibition, or even win a bit through the competition, can help me support my education and allow me to invest more into future pieces throughout the summer and school year.