Alexandrea Delos-Reyes: Artist

By Jim Gerwing

She sits across the table from me at the local Crepes N Cream café, bright-eyed, confident, eager to talk, ready for her second media interview of the day, a half-eaten crepe on the table in front of her.  Alex Delos-Reyes remembers drawing even before her family came to Canada from the Philippines when she was four.

Now 11, a grade 5 student at St. Joseph's Elementary, she attracted the attention of Bonnie Hardy, one of the organizers of Art of All Sorts, a fundraiser at the Fairmont Empress in mid-February for the larger-than-life bronze of Emily Carr.  Alex is the only child whose work was selected for the exhibition of professional artists.

Her mom and dad are the most enthusiastic supporters of her unusual talent, but she doesn't need outside encouragement.  Her dedication to produce art springs from an inner passion.  She draws and paints and doodles all the time.  Alex works from her imagination as well as from the things she sees around her.

Alex even keeps pieces she thinks are "not so good," and uses them for future reference.  She speaks fluently and with conviction, proud to say she is a "pretty good student" at school.  She loves to learn.

Although mostly self-taught, Alex takes weekly art lessons from Kim Hollingsworth to develop her skills.  She is excited to participate in the effort to raise money for the Emily Carr statue.  Although not familiar with the great names in art history, she is aware that most of them are men.  She takes inspiration from Emily Carr's status as our most famous local artist.  In turn, she believes that she herself can also inspire other youngsters to delve into the satisfying world of creative art.

Even if you were unable to attend the show at the Empress, you can enjoy Alex's work at the Crepes N Cream at the corner of Menzies and Toronto.  While there, why not enjoy a delicious savory or sweet crepe lovingly prepared by her mother, Maria.