Dominique Dube, Vancouver Community College
“The night sky has always sparked my imagination. There is so much beauty to be found in the stars that shine through the darkness. For my piece, I decided to make a locket to spark people’s imaginations. The whole locket is dark, with the gold keum-boo shining through the mountains and stars from the inside. I wanted the piece to be something that hides a secret inside, just like the many secrets the night sky holds.”
Dube is a student of jewellery art and design in her hometown of Vancouver. Her piece is made with sterling silver, 24-karat gold, and liver of sulphur.
Alexandro Gage Francois, Vancouver Community College
“Inspiration for my art comes from my Mexican background and culture. I like to make art that makes the viewer stop and pay attention to the combination of colour and textures that forms the basis for understanding the overall theme of the piece. The nature and properties of metals and gems, their textures, the techniques, and the results they produce are elements that, combined with a particular state of mind, become the inspiration for each piece I produce. The piece I am submitting for the Vaccaro Family Scholarship represents the Virgo constellation, which was my first thought when I learned about the ‘Starry Night’ theme. Virgo is my zodiac sign, and in some way represents a direct link between my soul and a universal starry night.”
Francois first took casting lessons when he came to San Diego, Calif., from Mexico. He later moved to Vancouver to connect with other artists as well as metalworking professors.
