Kids started these paintings. Yellowknife artists finished them.

When a Yellowknife daycare needed money for upgrades and equipment, parents created a fundraiser with a unique twist.

“Let’s do something that involves art,” organizer Amy Stuart remembers thinking. The daycare’s parent advisory committee decided to take pieces of art started by young children, hand them to experienced Yellowknife artists to finish, then auction the final products.

The results were shown to the public at the Gallery on 47 Street on Thursday evening, with money raised going to the Centre for Northern Families’ daycare.

Lakesha Rondeau’s two-year-old daughter, Melanie, was one of the daycare’s artists.

“I saw her art before the artist recreated her work, and I was surprised how much it changed,” Rondeau told Cabin Radio while staring at the final piece. “But I was excited, because it was such a beautiful collaboration.”

Robyn Scott is the artist who received Melanie’s art piece.

“I love the pinks and purples. This is a little girl after my own heart,” said Scott. “I like big colour, and so I just knew that I wanted to put something that was more subdued, that shows the energy of wildlife when it’s out in nature.”

Scott said she wanted to make sure the viewer could still see Melanie’s original artwork, while weaving her own artistic touch into the piece.

“I ended up with a moose,” said Scott. “Some of the movement up towards the top reminded me of antlers. And I just wanted to keep that energy reaching upwards.”

Scott said she was inspired by Melanie’s use of colour and movement.

“I’m really excited by Melanie,” said Scott. “I’m going to keep my eye on her, and hopefully she’ll end up in my art class one day.”

Scott, who teaches art at École Sir John Franklin High School, passed some of the daycare canvases on to three of her students, one of whom worked on a painting begun by daycare attendee Evelyn.

“Everything’s really beautiful,” said Evelyn’s mother, Jessi Casebeer. “It’s nice to see. It was a great idea and a great collaboration with the community.”

Artist Sue Glowach paired up with daycare student Tobias to create an underwater scene.

Glowach said it was important to her that the original artwork not just be drawn over but rather incorporated into the final piece.

“What I’ve tried to do is take a look at what the first artist had done, and then try and build on that. And I wanted to do something that was kind-of whimsical, that a kid might like to have,” said Glowach.

“I hope all kids get the chance to keep on staying in touch with their art side and getting their feelings and their emotions out through paper, through canvas, through plasticine, through all sorts of different mediums.”

Tobias’s mom, Mika Kondo, said she was “speechless” at the final artwork.

“I’m just really amazed,” said Kondo. “It’s a really sweet collaboration.”

On Thursday evening, the gallery was filled with residents who came to enjoy the art. Lots of bids were placed and many of the younger artists helped themselves to complimentary juice boxes and Goldfish crackers.

“So often, a lot of my work is done as a professional artist and I have to take it very seriously,” said Scott.

“It was so great just to be able to play with colour. It sort-of took me back to why I love making art in the first place and, especially as I’m going into my busy season of creating and art sales, I am so grateful for the opportunity in that little gentle reminder of what I love about art-making.” 

Organizers said the event raised $4,570 for the daycare.