The Friends of the BC Summer Games cedar medallions came full circle on Monday.
Weeks of brainstorming, creation and construction were completed at the school that bears the name of inspiration behind the eagle design on the medallions – Robert Bateman.
Several volunteer students spent their Monday morning putting the final touches on the medallions by sanding and oiling the wooden pieces before they are sent to valued sponsors of the Games as a token of appreciation.
Former Bateman Secondary computer animation teacher Bill Henderson and 3D illustrator and former Bateman student Dan Hutchings collaborated on the design based on the eagle logo that Abbotsford 2016 BC Games officials have adopted.
“Robert Bateman’s artwork was our inspiration and it was my job as a technical artist to coordinate all these people and get this done,” Henderson said.
Hutchings created the digital model of the medallion, and using Henderson’s software, milling machine and a 3D printer, the design came to life.
Each medallion took about 90 minutes to carve, and 150 were created for the Games.
Hutchings, who works for Abbotsford based WCI Media Studios, was a former student of Henderson’s. He said working on the medallion has been rewarding.
“It’s always a surreal experience to see the finished product in person,” he said. “I’m really happy with the way it turned out and I think it’s going to look great on a plaque.”
Bateman teacher Ali Blair said this was a great opportunity for her students to connect with the Games, and see the impact that art can make.
“I think it’s really important for the kids to see art function in the community,” she said. “They can see how it’s used to create culture and communicate ideas. For them to be involved in that on a professional level is really meaningful for them.”
The finished products will now be attached to a plaque to thank sponsors and Friends of the Games. The Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games run from July 21 to 24.
For more on the Games, visit bcgames.org.
