A Weyburn native now working in the U.S. as a graphic
designer, fine artist and independent filmmaker won a first prize at a recent art show in New Hampshire.

Amber Ward, the daughter of Darryl and Patricia Ward of Weyburn, was raised and educated in Weyburn, graduating from the Weyburn Comprehensive School in 1997. She went on to graduate from the Visual Communications Program at Medicine Hat College in 2000, and the film production program at the Vancouver Film School in 2002.

She entered a painting entitled, "Homage" in the sixth annual Snow Show in Derry, New Hampshire over the Feb. 6-8 weekend, and won first place in the mixed media category.

The painting, one of a series, was done in acrylic and ink.

There were 37 artists who entered the competition, with awards given out in the following categories: oil/acrylic, watercolor, pastel, drawing, photography and mixed media.

The show was judged by two artists, Silvana Siudut and Mark Hayden. Siudut was born and educated in Genoa, Italy, and took art education at the Vesper George School of Art, and has won a number of awards for her paintings and painted ceramic pieces. She is an art instructor and artist in Methuen, Mass.

Hayden is a Copley Master, and has won the prestigious Schroeder Award for Excellence in Portraiture. A native of Bradford, Mass., he attended the Montseratt School of Visual Art in Beverly, Mass., and has exhibited frequently, including master shows at the Harvard Club in Boston and St. Botolph's Club.

Amber has painted for much of her life, and recently moved to Nashua, N.H. This show was her first exhibit outside of college.

She recently served as the graphic artist, wardrobe designer and script supervisor for a short independent film by filmmaker James Rickers, shot on Cape Breton Island on Jan. 9-16. Rickers is from Moncton, N.B., and attended the Vancouver Film School with Amber.

The film was a reworking of the story of "The Little Matchgirl." Amber is currently working on the post-production of the film, including the promotional media design and festival package design, with a view to sending the film to various film festivals.