airdrielife is proud to support the local arts community in all its forms, and we’re especially proud of our support of young Airdrie artists. Whether it’s in the fine arts, like drawing or painting, or performance arts like dance, music and drama, Airdrie high schools play a huge role in helping develop and nurture local talent. We reached out to a few teachers and found a group of 2023 grads whose futures are definitely worth watching.
ARTIST: GIANA CHAALAN
School: Bert Church High School
Nominating teacher: Kevin Goodyear
What is your art form?
I consider myself a storyteller, using performing arts as my main form of expression.
What are your future plans for pursuing your art?
I am taking some time to explore and find new opportunities, whether that be post-secondary or upcoming projects. I am interested in courses that specialize in film, animation, voiceover, theatre and singing. I hope I get to express my art form in a plethora of ways and continue to tell stories that connect to audiences.
What was your ‘aha’ moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do with your life?
I first moved to Airdrie during the summer of 2015. I was a kid who had no idea what to do and had to explore a new world. My family wanted to enroll me in some activities before school started, so they had me join an acting summer camp at Bert Church Theatre. My interest in theatre came as a bit of a shock, even though I was a very dramatic kid. Once I started to express myself in the arts, I knew that performing and theatre is what I wanted to pursue. After that, I participated in acting workshops, camps, school productions, background acting and community theatre productions to gain more experience. During my first year at Bert Church High School and after becoming involved in the performing arts program … I truly fell in love with musicals. Seeing everyone get together in a sense of unity, connecting to audiences by sharing stories and expressions, was an amazing experience that I hope to continue to be a part of. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be able to grow as a storyteller and performer and experience the inner workings of productions. All of these experiences confirmed to me that I was on the right path for the future.
ARTIST: KALEB LAPKA
School: Bert Church High School
Nominating teacher: Kevin Goodyear
What is your art form?
I am very involved in the fine arts. I just finished a school production of Wizard of Oz. I also play piano, guitar and am a trained singer/songwriter.
What are your future plans for pursuing your art?
As of right now, I actually work as a professional model in Calgary. I’m very fortunate for the opportunity to work with multiple different companies, brands and photographers when it comes to making art. I’ve also gotten to work as an extra on multiple different projects and shows. My biggest goal as of right now, though, is finishing writing and producing my debut album. When I turn 19, I plan on renewing my contract with my agency and moving to a bigger creative hub (Vancouver, Toronto, LA, etc.).
What was your ‘aha’ moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do with your life?
I have been performing in shows and other settings since I was at least 10 years old. This love for performing has since developed into acting, singing, and instruments. I think music and art has always been a part of me. Whether it was me listening to Elvis when I was nine, or me recording an album at 17. Music is what raised me.
ARTIST: CAITLIN MERCHANT
School: St. Martin de Porres High School
Nominating teacher: Rachel Barber
What is your art form?
I don’t specialize in any specific art form, but as of recently I’ve been working mostly with sculpture and water-based paints like gouache. I love to experiment as I still have a lot to learn.
What are your future plans for pursuing your art?
As of September this year, I will be starting my first year as an art and design student at the University of Alberta. I will be majoring in design studies, and I plan to possibly continue my studies into industrial design to further open up career opportunities.
What was your ‘aha’ moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do with your life?
My major ‘aha’ moment was in 6th grade when I drew a classmate as a superhero. Once he saw the picture of himself, he told the whole grade just “how cool it was” and people started asking for commissions and even offering to pay me. When I saw how happy it made people to see my ideas come to life and marvel at the finished product, it brought me an overwhelming sense of pride. Even though I was young at the time, I knew I wanted relive that moment and be able to use my passion to make people happy.
ARTIST: MCKENNA MORRISON-RIPLEY
School: George McDougall High School
Nominating teacher: Marda Wright
What is your art form?
My art form includes but is not limited to watercolour, ink work, photography and digital work.
What are your future plans for pursuing your art?
My goal is to get into the film or game industry doing Virtual FX. So lighting, texture and landscapes.
What was your ‘aha’ moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do with your life?
I always knew I wanted to go into the arts, but I hadn’t
quite decided what, and that was when my mom introduced me to the Centre for Entertainment Arts at Bow
Valley College. We went and set up a meeting with a recruiter and as she was describing it, I could see myself doing it in the future.
ARTIST: SAM SITTER
School: George McDougall High School
Nominating teacher: Marda Wright
What is your art form?
My specialized mediums are realism and graphic design which have been things I have carried with me throughout my life.
What are your future plans for pursuing your art?
With my passion for the arts, I am strongly motivated to pursue a career of graphic design in the gaming industry. I plan to attend art school and to later achieve my life goal.
What was your ‘aha’ moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do with your life?
My passion for art blossomed pretty early on in my life and I would have to say that created my ‘aha moment’ fairly young. Growing up having art as an outlet helped me overcome some life obstacles and will always have a special place in my heart. Art will always be something important and influential to me.
Interested in more local artists? Take a look at our Airdrie Virtual Art Market.
