THE EVENT

On April 27, 2012 at the Centre Leonardo da Vinci in St-Léonard, Agnes and André Chatelain, Founders of Painting a New World, along with many generous volunteers, hosted the PNMW Annual event and Awards ceremony, recognizing the quality of the artwork of the participating students and their contribution to a better world.

The main attraction was in the Galleria where murals of the finalist's schools, produced by many talented students were proudly exhibited.

After enjoying the talent of the artists it was then time to present the awards to the top finalists.  The students, parents and guests were then invited to join our amazing MC, Hailey Samm Laxer in the impressive Mirella and Lino Saputo Theatre.

PRIMARY SCHOOL WINNERS

For the Primary schools, the Principals and representative of the finalists schools were invited to receive
The Gift of Art trophy of the year. The finalists were:

Champlain School
École de l'Épervière
Lower Canada College
Netagamiou School and CLC
Pierre Elliot Trudeau School
Pope Memorial School

The Primary school award winners were then announced. The students and art teachers were invited to receive their medals and prizes.

INTERNATIONAL PRIZE

This year, PNMW was pleased to recognize the participation of students from Notre-Dame de Paillant School in Haiti with an International prize. Sophie Germain, the DIrector of Notre-Dame de Paillant School, and Diane Boisvert the project coordinator, were invited on stage to receive the Gift of Art trophy of the year.

SECONDARY SCHOOL WINNERS

For the secondary schools, the Principals and representatives of the finalist schools were invited to receive the Gift of Art trophy of the year. The finalists were:

Corner Brook Regional High, Newfoundland
École secondaire Louis-Philippe Paré
Lower Canada College
Netagamiou School and CLC
Network of Alternative Centres
Queen of Angels Academy
St-Paul's School, Riviere St-Paul
St. Thomas High School

The entertainment part of the event included performances by Hailey Samm Laxer, and the very dynamic local band, Boni Suba. We are grateful for your contribution to our cause.

THANK YOU to the participating schools:

Much appreciation and gratitude goes to all the students, teachers and principals of the participating schools:

Quebec:    
Netagamiou School & CLC in Chevery,
École secondaire Louis-Philippe Paré
Lower Canada College
Queen of Angels Academy
École de l'Épervière
Network of Alternative Centres
Pierre Elliot Trudeau School
Pope Memorial School
St-Pauls School from Rivière St-Paul
St. Thomas High School

Manitoba:
Champlain School

Newfoundland:
Corner Brook Regional High School

International
École Notre-Dame de Paillant, Haiti

The generous sponsors of The Gift of Art project;
     Encadrements des Cèdres
     Le Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport
     Le Ministère de l'Immigration et des communautés culturelles
     Le Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine
     The united Nations Decade on Biodiversity
     Our friend photographer Guy Rochette


Our gratitude to the sponsors of the creative murals designed by the students;
     LEARN Quebec
     IGA Châteauguay
     The Lakeshore Rotary Club
     The Quebec Labrador Foundation
     Queen of Angels Foundation
     St. Thomas High School
     Assiniboine Credit Union
     La Commission Scolaire du Littoral
     Lower North Shore Community Seafood Co-op

DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS RAISED

The funds raised from The Gift of Art project will be finalized at the end of June. Funds are being distributed to the following local projects, chosen by the students and the schools. The balance will be directed to the international projects of PNMW in Africa and Haiti.

La Fondation Reves d'enfants
Art City (Winnipeg)
Arts Enrichment project (Newfoundland)
Meals to share
Montreal Children's Hospital
Free the Children (Mosaic project)
West Island Seniors Memoirs Project
West Island Palliative Care
Whitely Museum (St-Pauls River)
Work study project (St-Pauls River)
Blue Metropolis Project (Gatineau)
Special Education group (Gatineau)
Pope Memorial Art materials
Netagamiou Art program materials

CONCLUSION

The students have the talent and are proud to express it. The teachers and principals are happy to experience the power of art for the benefit of their students and communities locally and internationally. The sponsors of the murals will proudly exhibit the artwork produced through their financial support. Local community projects will benefit from the funds they received from the schools while other communities in Africa and Haiti will also benefit from the project.

TESTIMONIALS - What they wrote...

CONGRATS on such an amazing event! If possible, the murals were even more amazing than last year... I think all the kids really had a great time and I know the children from Manitoba were so appreciative! I had an incredible time and I wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in the event again this year! - Hailey Samm Laxer, MC and Dawson College student.

Thank you once again for organizing such a beautiful Gala for our students. The murals were beautifully exhibited and I am glad that so many people showed up. Our students were quite nervous this year about placing in the top 3 as this year's participants created some very beautiful works of art. You can imagine how thrilled they were when they were called to the stage for the Silver prize. Thank you for all the gifts. - Anne Vrana, Art teacher - St-Thomas High School

Bonjour et félicitations pour cette autre belle soirée, si attendue par les jeunes... voir, la fierté des fillettes du Manitoba en particulier, cela valait bien la soirée. En allant chercher notre prix, Diane et moi étions aussi comme des enfants! Il me reste à appeler cette semaine en Haiti l'enseignant de 6ème pour lui annoncer la nouvelle de la sortie à la mer... même les profs seront contents, c'est une très belle nouvelle et j'apprécie beaucoup cette ouverture de coeur qui vous anime Aggie et toi. Encore bravo!  - Sophie Germain, Directrice de l'Association de Développement Notre-Dame de Paillant, Haiti.