The Record‘s annual Christmas art contest is a much-loved and anticipated event among readers and Record staff. This past December, a submission by 12-year-old Austin Bear was a thrill for the artist as well as the small church he attends. Calvin-Goforth in Saskatoon has no minister and only a few pews full of people at Sunday worship. Still, the congregation makes up for its size with warmth and welcoming.
“We were absolutely thrilled to have Austin’s art work displayed in the Presbyterian Record,” said clerk of session, Georgina Bone. “Austin will benefit immensely from this positive experience.”
Bear’s parents struggle with addictions and are therefore not part of his life. However, two sisters in their 20s — who have known Bear since he was a toddler — have taken him into their home and act as his guardians. One of these women, Faith Villaneuve, who helps out in Calvin-Goforth’s children’s program, brings Bear to church with her.
When asked what he was thinking when creating his masterpiece, Bear told Bone: “I started with the earth. Then I got the idea of putting people all around the earth. I wanted to show that people should help each other. The heart was meant for peace in the world because Jesus came to bring peace. People should love each other and have peace and no wars. Then I smudged the heart and I thought I would have to start all over, but I got the idea that the love of Jesus could spread out. That’s when I made the lines going out from the heart. They were to show that love spreads out and that Jesus’ love will spread out all over the world. That’s why I put “LOVE” at the bottom.”
Bear has a flair for drama and can play the guitar; he has put both talents to good use at church.
“Austin wowed the congregation when he played with great zest a few bars of Good King Wenceslas on the Sunday before Christmas,” said Bone. “We were very pleased that an aunt who keeps in touch with Austin came out to church specially to be there when he took part in the worship.
“Thanks again for giving us a big psychological boost and for giving a young aboriginal boy a lot of much-needed self-respect.”
