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When Natasha Fisher offered to design a poster to promote Commonwealth Day, she had no idea that her work would end up garnering world wide recognition; but this Christmas, her work will be featured on the Royal Commonwealth Society International's annual Christmas card.

Natasha was a student in Holland College's Graphic Design program last year when Margaret Hatcher, responsible for student liaison and publicity for the PEI branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society, approached the college to see if any of the program's students were interested in developing their poster for Commonwealth Day. When Natasha's instructor, Nigel Roe, mentioned the project to the class, it intrigued the second year student.

"I love designing posters," she explained in an interview. "When Nigel first announced that the Royal Commonwealth Society was looking for a design, I thought it sounded like a challenge. Then, when I met with representatives from the society and learned about the theme, I knew that I could take it somewhere."

The poster was designed on the theme "Building a Commonwealth of Freedom", and was intended to promote the society's annual Commonwealth Day celebrations held at Trinity United Church, Charlottetown, in March.

"Because the celebration was being held in a church, I decided to use a stained glass design," Natasha explained. "I chose a dove because it represents peace and freedom. The colors in the stained glass are symbolic of the many races in the Commonwealth and the hands are reaching up toward freedom."

The image that Natasha created resonated strongly with Sharon Ross, Chair of the Commonwealth Day Committee, and Margaret Hatcher, who both saw the poster's potential immediately.

"Natasha's design was so unique, so totally different from previous years' posters," Ross remembers. "The message was so strong, I knew as soon as I saw it that it was more than a poster to advertise only one day."

Margaret Hatcher agrees. "We all loved it. The moment we saw it, we knew it was a winner," she said.

In fact, Ross and Hatcher felt so strongly about the artwork that when the Royal Commonwealth Society held its annual general meeting in Charlottetown the following June, they made sure that the poster came to the attention of Stuart Mole, O.B.E., Director General of the Royal Commonwealth Society, who had traveled from the RCS's International Headquarters in London to attend the meeting. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and he agreed that the image was a unique and powerful representation of the society's objectives.

"It is a rare achievement to create an image which conveys such a powerful and universal message," Mole said. "The RCS Christmas Card featuring Natasha's work will be sent across the world and Natasha can be especially proud of this practical contribution to increasing understanding between people and helping advance the boundaries of human freedom."

Founded in 1868, the Royal Commonwealth Society is an international non-governmental organization working to promote an understanding of the nature and working of the Commonwealth, the factors which shape the lives of its people, and the policies of its governments. The RCS is supported by a worldwide membership of more than 10,000, with self-governing branches, honorary representatives and affiliated organizations in 39 countries and territories. There has been some discussion as to whether it would be feasible to translate Natasha's poster design into a stained glass window for the soon-to-be refurbished International Headquarters in London.

Hatcher and Ross said that in addition to designing an outstanding poster, the committee was impressed with Natasha's professionalism. The young woman made such a positive impression on the committee that they returned to the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵGraphic Design program to find a designer for the 2005 and 2006 posters.

Natasha chose to attend Holland College's Graphic Design program as a way to explore her artistic interests.

"I graduated with honors from Morell Regional High," she said. "But I didn't want to go to university and study subjects that I hadn't enjoyed in high school. I wanted to take something artistic, and I wasn't ready to move out of the province. I was told that the Graphic Design program was a good stepping stone to start your career on; and when I got into it, I really liked it."

Natasha continues to pursue her interest in graphic design, and is working on an exhibition of her work, which she hopes will be ready next summer. In the meantime, she has an engagement with the Lieutenant Governor this Thursday evening, when she will present him with the first copy of the Royal Commonwealth Society's Christmas card to arrive on »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ.

In this picture: Natasha Fisher, a graduate of Holland College's Graphic Design program, discusses her poster with Stuart Mole, O.B.E., Director General of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Mr. Mole requested a meeting with Natasha after seeing her poster during a Royal Commonwealth Society International Annual General Meeting held in Charlottetown.