OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The 15 finalist of the National Gallery of Canada (NGC)'s art contest for teens So You Want To Be an Artist? are now known. Twelve works were chosen by popular vote, while three additional pieces were selected by an expert from the NGC for their artistic qualities. The works are on view on the contest's website soyouwanttobeanartist.ca.

From the 258 aspiring-artists from across Canada aged 16 to 19 years, the names of those who have accumulated the largest number of votes are: Maria Jose, Windsor, ON (881 votes); David Garcia Sepulveda, Bridgewater, NS (837 votes); Joanna-Maria Marianakis Belec, Montréal, QC (742 votes); Petros Kapetanakis, Russell, ON (112 votes); Michelle Chung, Stouffville, ON (596 votes); Holly Macie, North Bay, ON (592 votes); Ania Jarda, Montréal, QC (582 votes); Rikka Yambao, Winnipeg, MB (581 votes); Natalia Beattie, Bawlf, AB (568 votes); Rana Jreidini, Montréal, QC (560 votes); Céline Hardy, Brockville, ON (551 votes); and Teresa Han, Toronto, ON (548 votes).

NGC associated curator of modern Canadian art, Adam Welch, selected the works of the following three young artists: Emmanuelle Boutin, Québec, QC; Emelie Kanwischer, Calgary, AB; and Haley Sweet, Kanata, ON.

As of Saturday, December 5, and up to January 17, 2016, Gallery's visitors can contemplate the 15 works on the Artissimo wall, located outside the temporary exhibitions galleries. 

In early December, members of the jury will gather to select the top three prize winners. The jury is composed of associate curator of Canadian Modern Art, Adam Welch, artist Luke Siemens, artist Sandy Plotnikoff, and artist and Associate Professor of Painting at the University of Ottawa, Jinny Yu.

The first-place winner will receive a trip to Ottawa, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Gallery, a portfolio review by an NGC curator and a gift certificate for art supplies. The second prize winner will receive a $1,000 online gift certificate for art supplies, and the third prize winner will receive a $500 online gift certificate for art supplies.  Join the conversation by following the contest on Twitter and Facebook, @Art_Canada, and facebook.com/makeart.faisdelart using the hashtag #WeAreArtists.

CBC/Radio-Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada are collaborating with the contest by promoting it through their various digital platforms.

About the National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. For more information, visit gallery.ca

SOURCE National Gallery of Canada