The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Judges for a Manitoba-wide art contest could not resist the 'lure' of a young Flin Flonner's entry. Eighth-grader Anthony Francois' watercolour painting of a rainbow trout will appear on the 2012-13 Manitoba Youth Angling Card. 'I believe the past winners have been out of Winnipeg, so it's good...that our youth here in the North are doing their part and obviously have talent for drawing,' says Blaine Elphinstone, a local Manitoba Conservation officer. The Manitoba Youth Angling Card is produced by Fish Futures Inc., a not-for-profit corporation based in Winnipeg. Though not legally required, the card is given out free to anglers under the age of 16 to help promote the benefits of recreational fishing to youth. Anthony's painting, which depicts a trout swimming at the bottom of a lake near a tree, will blanket the front of the next card to be issued in May. John Toone of Fish Futures says the calibre of talent on display in the design contest was top-notch. 'The judges were very impressed by the quality of the paintings submitted and had a difficult time picking only one painting as the winner,' Toone wrote in a letter to Anthony. Recognition An Ecole McIsaac School student, Anthony receives not only this provincial recognition, but also a complimentary fishing rod and a $200 cheque. The soft-spoken artist says he has been drawing for the past five years. Last year he finished third in the card design contest for his painting of a perch. Under the tutelage of Monique Rainville, Anthony is now learning to improve his artistic skills at the NorVa Centre. 'As long as he's been drawing, he's (been) exceptional,' says Rainville, who is also an educational assistant in Anthony's class. A cash prize of $200 is a lot of money for someone of Anthony's age, but already he has plans for the money. He will purchase a video camera that will allow him to pursue his love of 'freerunning.' Freerunning is an art form that involves running and performing physical stunts while a camera records the freerunner's point of view. 'He's very athletic,' notes Rainville. Looking ahead, Anthony has given some thought to one day pursuing art as a career, whether it be as a painter or even a tattoo artist. But for now he will bask in the honour of having his work enjoyed by young anglers across the province. The Manitoba Youth Angling Card will be available at Manitoba Conservation as well as many hardware and sporting good stores, lodges and other outlets that sell fishing licenses. Youth who obtain a card then register on-line to win fishing-related prizes.
