Helen explains. “They were encouraged to be creative with the shapes and colours they chose.” To render their places into art, Helen introduced two tech- niques: printmaking rubbings, using construction paper and shapes, and pencil drawings, outlined with glue and then coloured in with chalk pastels. Only six pieces could be sent to Štanjel—the city that hosts this contest. The selected art- work came from grade two students Harvey Comly, Au- tumn Harris, Landon McIn- tosh, Elaine Van Dyk, and Braelyn Waller, and grade one student Fiona Shakes. Submissions were juried by
From Byron to Štanjel: Students’ Artwork Goes the Distance
This past October, six students from Byron Southwood Public School saw their artwork travel across the sea to Štanjel, Slovenia, for the 11th Inter- national Biennial of Children’s Spa - tial Design contest. The contest drew submissions from six countries—Slo- venia, Austria, Italy, Serbia, Argentina, and Canada—with Byron Southwood proudly representing Canada as its sole entry. Grades one and two teacher Helen Filipcic has always woven art into her
Landon McIntosh
curriculum and encouraged students to stretch their creativity through this biennial competition several times. In her final year of teaching before retiring, she once again organized another submission for the school. Open to children from nursery school to grade nine, the Children’s Spatial Design contest invites participants to explore shapes and relational space through two- and three-dimensional artwork. As part of her art lessons, Helen chose two art activities for the competition. “Since it’s about spatial design, I asked students to choose a place that’s special to them—like their home or a grandparent’s house, or they could use a picture from Storybook Gardens,”
Landon McIntosh’s chalk pastel of his house, awarded Silver Standing for his age group
a panel that included an architect and a Faculty of Education professor. Certificates were awarded on October 18th, and the winning pieces were displayed in Štanjel’s gallery until November 18. Helen’s students typically earn Bronze Standings in most years. However, this year, Landon McIntosh’s chalk pastel drawing of his house earned the first Silver Standing. Landon
Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2026!
From your Byron BMO branch team Ania, Annalisha, Chris, Leo, Paulina and Sara!
295 Boler Rd. London, Ontario 519-474-0530
Located in Byron
Megan Pazos, RMT Holistic, client-centred approach to massage therapy (226) 376-2501 megan.pazosrmt@gmail.com www.unlockedrmt.noterro.com
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Byron Villager December 2025
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