The sight of tattered banners hanging from poles on the main drag through Walnut Grove was the motivation behind a new banner initiative launched by the arts and heritage curator of the Langley Centennial Museum.
A Walnut Grove resident herself, Kobi Christian said she couldn’t help but notice the ratty condition of some of the banner flying along 88th Avenue during her commute last fall.
Admittedly, when those banners came down for the season, and a fresh coat of paint was applied to the posts, she conceived of the idea to have some new, fun banners made by local kids.
Her vision revolved around asking young children in the neighbourhood to create banners depicting life in Walnut Grove – at least from their perspective.
The response was overwhelming when she approached all the local elementary schools, and invited students between Grades 3 and 5 to participate.
While some students worked on the banners during class, others – like a team of young artists from Alex Hope Elementary – dedicated many of their lunch hours to creating bold, powerful banners.
“Be as creative as you want,†Christian instructed the students. “This is an opportunity to let your imagination run wild.â€
Teachers at each of the participating schools – West Langley, James Kennedy, Gordon Greenwood, Dorothy Peacock, and Alex Hope elementaries – were then tasked with picking the best five to represent their class.
And now, Christian and a team of judges have the tougher job of whittling it down to the five best – overall – in the Walnut Grove Banner Project.
Those five drawings will be made into banners and hung along 88th Avenue later this spring.
The sixth spot is being reserved for the banner that Langley Advance readers pick as their favourite.
You’ve been asked to pick the People’s Choice winner.
The names of all six winners will be unveiled at a special reception with Township Mayor Jack Froese at the museum on Saturday, April 5, from 3 to 4 p.m.
You be the judge
View all 41 of the children’s banners, and pick your favourite.
It’s easy, view all the posters, then come back to the story and this list below and vote for the kids’ banner you prefer.
Ballots are also available at the museum.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. on March 30.
• Aislyn Johnson, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 5
• Alice Choi, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 4
• Alyssa Sharp, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 4
• Anna Pyper, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 5
• Danica Reed, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 5
• Ellie Taylor, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 5
• Indie Bateman, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 5
• Maya Moreno, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 4
• Ria Yang, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 4
• Zion Jung, Alex Hope Elementary, Grade 4
• Danica Zanatta, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Ella Lindsay, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Ellie Kim, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Evan Lee, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 4
• Faye Cayer, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Jessicah Loewen, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Linda Park, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 4
• Manami Ushijima, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 4
• Skye Dunbar, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 4
• Tyler Hoyt, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, Grade 5
• Angelina Adamson, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Emma Pascoe, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Giana Yim, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Jessica Heutink, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Nicholas Thomas, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Vega Mayo, Gordon Greenwood Elementary, Grade 4
• Chloe Ireland, James Kennedy Elementary, Grade 4
• Johanna Jordan, James Kennedy Elementary, Grade 4
• Kamren Kooner, James Kennedy Elementary, Grade 5
• Leo Egger, James Kennedy Elementary, Grade 4
• Owen Bradshaw, James Kennedy Elementary, Grade 5
• Abbie Roth, West Langley Elementary, Grade 4
• Abby Ward, West Langley Elementary, Grade 3
• Bella Sparrow, West Langley Elementary, Grade 4
• Jayden Martin, West Langley Elementary, Grade 3
• Kaiden Barnes, West Langley Elementary, Grade 4
• Kyle Wadella, West Langley Elementary, Grade 3
• Maggie Huggan, West Langley Elementary, Grade 4
• Mya Carey, West Langley Elementary, Grade 4