Students at Arborg Early Middle School (AEMS) will have a new bench to admire when they return to class in September—one that showcases creativity, cultural teachings and community spirit.
The bench was designed by upcoming Grade 7 student Bethany Shore, with the help of Selkirk-based master woodcarver Robert Unik of R Unik Artistree.
Shore’s design—featuring the seven sacred teachings and her school’s name within a medicine wheel—was selected from more than 50 student entries. She and four other finalists went head-to-head in a school-wide vote, with Shore’s artwork receiving 80 votes—nearly 30 more than the second-place entry.
“I was extremely excited when I found out I had won,” said Shore, who was absent when the announcement was made. “My friend phoned me during lunch and I just screamed when I figured it out.”
It was her first time entering an art contest, but she thought it would be fun to participate.
Educational assistant Jenna Pearce organized the contest after Unik suggested incorporating student artwork into the project. Every AEMS student had the chance to submit a design. Some worked in groups or pairs, while others created their artwork independently. The only guidelines were that the design must include the school name, the seven sacred teachings and no copyrighted characters.
Pearce said she’s proud of the work Shore created, adding that the bench has already drawn a lot of attention.
“When the bench was dropped off outside the gym, the kindergarten grad was taking place, so there were a lot of people there to witness it,” she said.
The bench will be moved to the front of the school in time for the new school year.
Shore said she knew early on that she wanted to draw the animals that represent each of the seven teachings, rather than just write them out.
“I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate their pictures,” she said. “I used some internet images for inspiration, but most of it came from my own creativity.”
She added that she enjoys how art allows her to express herself without needing words.
“Sometimes it’s hard to use words, so using colours and pictures makes it easier,” she said.
Unik said he had to adjust the original design to fit the dimensions of the bench. Shore had drawn her artwork in a square format, while the bench was a rectangle.
This is the second school bench Unik has created—the first was for a Winnipeg school—but he has made dozens of benches for customers across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and even Texas.
A retired industrial arts teacher and lifelong woodcarver, Unik said his bench-making business has boomed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Once COVID hit, things just exploded because people couldn’t travel, so they started spending their money on benches,” he said. “Now people want to support Canadian-made products.”
He builds each bench from start to finish in his Selkirk workshop, using 2-by-6 spruce planks purchased from Home Hardware. His work includes cutting, assembling, carving, painting and finishing the five- to six-foot benches, which start at $1,400.
“Each bench of mine is absolutely unique,” he said. “No one will ever get an exact copy of yours.”
While he carves a wide range of imagery, he does not sell copyrighted designs. Each bench takes four to six weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the design. For every eight benches he sells, Unik donates one to a community organization.
He promotes his work by posting photos on community Facebook pages—a process he said takes about two hours. “I don’t pay a penny for advertising,” he added. “I do my own work to share my benches.”
Unik’s goal for R Unik Artistree—a play on “our unique artistry”—is to keep carving as long as he can. Anyone interested in ordering a bench can call or text 204-981-6355 to inquire about custom designs.
As for Shore, she’s already dreaming big. “I think it would be very fun to have a piece of art to remember me as famous,” she said with a smile.
