Young artists show off their talent in Christmas contest

Despite receiving over 500 entries in our third annual children’s Christmas drawing contest, selecting a winner didn’t require the wisdom of three wise men. The entry of Jomalaine Mae Cinense was so impressive we put it on the cover.

The prayerful depiction of the Holy Family by the 13-year-old student from St. Anne Catholic School in Brampton, Ont., was the unanimous pick by judges in the Grade 7-8 category. It stood out because of its exquisite detail and use of colour, but mostly because of the loving, peaceful depiction of Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus.

“I like to put detail in my drawings,” said Jomalaine.

She was inspired by a picture she saw of the Holy Family, and then improved it with shading and a silhouetted background.

“If I just coloured it plain, there’d be too much space left,” she said. “So I decided to draw a silhouette.”

Patryk Trela, 9, winner of the Grade 4-6 category

In the Grade 4-6 category, the top entry was by Patryk Trela, nine, of Mississauga, Ont. He incorporated shepherds, wise men and an angel in a colourful manger setting that impressed the judges. Nathalia Massicotte, a Grade 3 student from St. Elisabeth Catholic School in Ottawa, earned first place in the Grade 1-3 category for a detailed drawing of Mary comforting the baby Jesus while Joseph looked on.

Nathalia Massicotte, 8, winner of the Grade 1-3 category

Each of the winners will receive a $50 gift certificate for a day at the movies. In addition to Jomalaine’s winning entry on the cover, the two other winners are presented here, along with some other drawings that caught our eye.

To all who entered, thank you and Merry Christmas.