Van has been working collaboratively with the Fernie Minor Hockey Association to celebrate emerging young artists in the surrounding area, providing a platform to showcase their work within the community while introducing them to the fundamentals of art licensing, ownership, and copyright.
Shya, a Grade 11 student, submitted her artwork as part of this initiative. Her artwork was selected and she was paid a licensing fee to be the featured piece for the 2026–2027 hockey season. Her image has been incorporated into more than 350 awards recognizing tournament MVP and Heart and Hustle recipients throughout the season.
Shya enjoys experimenting with different mediums and creating artwork that is meaningful to both herself and others. When asked about her inspiration, she shared, “My inspiration comes from the area where we live. The colours and the scenery around me helped inspire the colours that I chose for my artwork.” In addition to her love of creating art, Shya enjoys skiing, spending time outdoors, and being around animals.
Being selected as this year's Fernie Minor Hockey Association Featured Artist marks an exciting opportunity to share her artwork with a wider community. Looking ahead, Shya hopes to continue creating pieces inspired by the ranch and mountains, find more opportunities to share her art, and challenge herself with each new project.
CONGRATULATIONS SHYA!
