Fredericton artist wins national art competition

Fredericton – Eugenia Dietrich’s painting inspired by a poem by celebrated poet and journalist Juan Gelman who passed away in January 2014 has won a national art competition. The painting is Dietrich’s portrait of Juan Gelman’s face and done in oils.

The Canadian Association of Hispanists, a group that assembles Spanish and Latin American Studies instructors in higher education in Canada, called a national painting competition in order to find an image to grace the cover of the programme booklet for their upcoming fiftieth anniversary congress to be held May 27-30, 2014.

The competition was planned in conjunction with the Creative Registry of the Canadian Association of Hispanists, a national organization that gathers all the writers, artists, cultural promoters and literary translators in Canada. The Creative Registry, founded by Fredericton poet and retired STU professor Nela Rio,  celebrates its tenth year of existence in 2014.

The Painting Competition was called in the fall of 2013 and required artists affiliated with the Creative Registry to submit an original painting to the judges.

The three judges were the President of the Canadian Association of Hispanists, Dr. Sonia Thon, a professor at Acadia University; the President of the Creative Registry, celebrated Fredericton poet Nela Rio; and Annik Bilodeau, the Student Representative to the Executive of the Canadian Association of Hispanists.

Judging was done anonymously. The paintings were judged on creativity, skill, theme and suitability. Results were released on March 6.

Dietrich’s award-winning portrait will grace the cover of the Canadian Association of Hispanists’ 2014 programme and will be featured on the websites of both the Canadian Association of Hispanists and the Creative Registry. This will allow the artist national and international exposure.

Originally from Argentina, Dietrich’s artwork (painting, sculpture, and other handiwork) has been recognized previously by a number of awards and included in many exhibitions locally. She arrived in New Brunswick in 2000, is a mother of four, and works as a translator.

Sophie M. Lavoie is s member of the NB Media Co-op.