Page Content
Koni Macdonald
Sean Neil takes his art seriously.
Encouraged by his art teacher, Brenda Savella, Neil entered Eastglen High School’s advanced placement (AP) program in art last year and has completed the 10, 20 and 30 programs. He plans to write the AP art exam in May and attend the Alberta College of Art and Design next year.
“I’ve learned much from Savella,” says Neil, who endearingly calls his teacher by her last name. “She’s more than a teacher—she’s a real artist who knows how to teach all kinds of different art forms. She lets you argue your point and doesn’t say you’re wrong. She lets you explore your own style. Sometimes she suggests things that might work better.”
Savella believes that she’s too demanding of her students, but Neil disagrees: “She pushes but she doesn’t—she’s involved. Not just the bare minimum.”
“Sean’s eager to learn everything he can about art,” says Savella. “He’s accomplished in many different media, including oils, graphite, conté, pastel, acrylic and watercolour. He wanted to draw live models, so we had models come in—with costumes—he really wanted nude models, but that will come later.” Neil is completing a series of 24 art pieces toward an advanced university credit.
“Art used to be my hobby,” admits Neil. “I probably wouldn’t have gone into this without Savella. I’m going to miss her.”
Savella nominated Neil for the Stantec Award for Youth Artist, which he received on April 7, at Edmonton’s Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts. In addition to his studies and art, Neil, a childhood cancer survivor, volunteers regularly with cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.
Sean Neil (left), winner of the Stantec Award for Youth Artist, works on a self-portrait with art teacher Brenda Savella, at Eastglen High School, in Edmonton.─Photo by Koni Macdonald
Also In the News
