Charlotte Sabet, an Academy of Visual and Performing Arts student at Culver City High School, has won first-place in the “Get To Know Art Contest” for her painting, and she will serve this weekend as one of 20 youth delegates in “The International Unconference” in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
[img]1267|left|Charlotte Sabet||no_popup[/img]The Thursday-through-Sunday conference is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The conference has several goals: re are several goals of the conference:
• Continuing the development of a new kind of dialogue for connecting youth with nature, one that is inclusive, effective, enlightening and focused;
• Preparing the next generation to take decisive action for the health of the planet by providing young North Americans with an opportunity to get to know their neighbors of other species, animals and plants who live in their own backyard;
• Providing insight and a first-hand youth perspective into the development of the collaborative “Get to Know” youth environmental education strategy; and
• Developing plans for each youth delegate to engage their peers with the outdoors by forming a network of Get to Know Youth Ambassadors.
As one of 20 youth ambassadors, Ms. Sabet will participate with leaders and innovators in three major sectors: non-governmental organizations, private sector and government.
Renowned nature artists and environmentalists Robert Bateman and Wyland, will join the dialogue.
Along with 11 other students who participated in the contest, Ms. Sabet will be recognized for her first-place award at a special ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
The art contest is intended to provide students a better understanding of the wilderness by connecting them to nature and becoming passionate about protecting the environment.
As a contest winner, Ms. Sabet will receive her prize package, including a copy of the Get to Know Contest calendar featuring the winning artwork, as well congratulations from Get to Know Ambassadors, including marine-life artist Wyland, Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and representatives from the U.S. Forest Service.
In addition, the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be making a stop at the ceremony on its way to Capitol Hill in Washington.
Ms. Sabet will be asked to create an ornament for the tree and present it to the U.S. Forest Service at the event.
Among her other awards as part of the contest, Ms. Sabet was invited to San Diego to a wildlife refuge where she became familiar with the process of raising different species in simulated environments. There were many different species of birds, sea turtles, eels, stingrays, fish and other sea creatures. Ms. Sabet’s artwork is a portrait painting of a pelican created in response to the Gulf oil spill.
“I’m proud to have been recognized for my painting of the pelican,” she said. “People need to be more aware of how our actions can affect nature, both in positive and negative ways.
“My artwork expresses the damaging effects of pollution and oil spills on wildlife in contrast to a clean and healthy environment. I will do all I can as a youth ambassador to promote wildlife preservation and to bring new and innovative ways to help prevent pollution in my community.”
Kristine Hatanaka, co-executive director of the AVPA, said she encourages her students to apply for contests and scholarships. “Their voice and creativity are the key to the change we need for the future,” said the Creative Director of Visual Art. “I am so proud of Charlotte. Her painting eloquently expresses her ideas and feelings directly to the viewer. You cannot deny the impact. It is so important for young artists to be advocates for the environment and conservation of the natural world with their vision and voice.”
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com
