www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 2, 2009 - 23 Artists made their mark on local, national and international stages Continued from page 17 said. "As well, to represent Canada there and to get them to recognize how many great photographers we have in Canada is important to me." Horvath said she was overwhelmed with being selected for the show, especially since photography is a hobby for her. She heard about the competition through renowned Hungarian photographer Janos Eifert, who spent most of his summer with Horvath. Horvath is a member of the Oakville Camera Club and the Trillium Photographic Club. Eddie Ruminski Numerous reports of mysterious stone sculptures along the waterfront at Trafalgar this August and subsequent help from the public ended the search for the artist behind the delicate artwork. Eddie Ruminski, a local graphic designer, proved to be the mastermind behind the stone works. "I'm taken aback by it (the attention), because it is something I started as my own hobby," he said. "I didn't think there would be such a mass appeal. I can't explain how happy I am that everyone else is RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER enjoying it." Ruminski attended Sheridan ROLLING STONES: Oakville graphic artist Eddie Ruminski created a stir College, studying art fundamentals, this summer with his stone sculptures along the waterfront. animation, and interactive multimedia. He said he started building small stone sculptures as a way to relieve stress. He's been building them for a while, usually in private spaces, such as at his cottage up north, or in places like Gairloch Gardens. impermanence -- basically the fact that nothing we do in the world will last any extended time. Amanda Reeves Visual artist Amanda Reeves received a huge boost, both artistically and financially, when she was recognized with an honourable mention in a renowned, national painting competition. The professional artist, who graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2005, was awarded that honour for the 2008 RBC Canadian Painting Competition. She said it is recognition that every young artist dreams about. "It means a lot to me to have other people interested in my painting and to have that recognized on a major level," she said. "It is an important time for me, as a young artist, to have a nudge to keep going." The piece that grabbed the attention of judges was Untitled 03 2008. Reeves said the $15,000 prize will go towards supplies, as well as travelling. She said she would like to visit other galleries and studios. Her painting, along with the works of the 14 other semifinalists, was featured in a travelling exhibit presented in major Canadian galleries. Amanda Reeves "The first time I did it, I remember that I was trying to kill some time in downtown Oakville, and I don't know what brought it on, but I started stacking stones," he said. While some community sleuths expressed disappointment that his sculptures were knocked over by certain members of the public, Ruminski said it is actually part of the art form. "Some last a few minutes, while others last a month, depending on the stones and the conditions," he said. "This is really a lesson in