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Image of peace wins Barrie's Christmas card contest

Local artist captures the spirit of the season and remembrance.
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Vicki McKenna's image of peace on earth was chosen for this year's council Christmas card.

In the days leading up to Remembrance Day, Vicki McKenna walked through Memorial Square and was inspired by what she saw.

The Barrie artist turned her inspiration into a painting that now adorns the city's official Christmas card and will be distributed by city council.

"I was thinking of all the news stories about shootings and terrorism and I thought this would be an appropriate image," she said, after Mayor Jeff Lehman announced that her design had won the annual competition.

"I think there are a lot of people who would join me wishing for peace on earth this year."

The image combines a message of remembrance for Canada's troops, along with the joy of the season, she said.

McKenna's entry was chosen from over 40 submissions.

It combines an image of the Christmas tree and the statue of a soldier at Barrie's cenotaph. The words "Let there be Peace on Earth" are written in the blue sky.

Lehman said there was a greater interest in the contest this year and more than twice the entries of previous contests.

"This just captured such a beautiful message of remembrance and of the season," Lehman said.

Christmas cards will be in the mail shortly.


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Robin MacLennan

About the Author: Robin MacLennan

Robin MacLennan has been a reporter, photographer and editor for the daily media in Barrie, across Simcoe County and Toronto for many years. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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