For the second year in a row the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre is filled with works by local youth. Titled A Bit of Everything, the show features around 170 pieces of art by more than 50 Revelstoke Secondary School students in grades nine through 12. Works include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces in various mediums including pencil, acrylic paint, sharpie, photography, collage, digital manipulation, plasticine and clay.
This year the exhibit is a little different, with student work displayed throughout the main and side galleries. Theresa Browning, head of the art department at RSS explained that students whose work is featured in the side galleries had to go through the application process with the RVAS, the same as any other artist would.
“In order to have their work featured in the side gallery, students had to complete a mini exhibit of three pieces to show they were able to produce quality work,” said Browning.
In total, nine students currently have work featured in the side galleries. Hannah Yauck and Ainslee Arthurs are two of the nine students who completed the application process to have their art displayed there. The experience was slightly different for each of the girls.
Yauck, a grade 12 student, described the application experience as being “a little nerve racking.” She works with clay, and says she chose to display pieces she was passionate about. Turns out art is also in her future — although she plans to make a stop off at SAIT first to study business before focusing on ceramics at Selkirk College.
For Arthurs, also in Grade 12, the added pressure of having to apply to have her work featured in one of side galleries was a welcome challenge.
“It was cool,” said Arthurs. “It made you work harder. I think it was good you had to apply.” Arthurs, who works mainly with acrylics, says while many of her pieces were complete before the show, she did complete some pieces specifically for the exhibit. While she has no plans to major in art, Arthurs says she definitely sees herself taking a few painting classes in the future.
The Revelstoke Visual Art Centre’s Jackie Pendergast said she was amazed by the work featured.
“There’s wonderful work on the walls,” she said at the exhibit opening this past Friday. “It’s just fabulous to see young talent knowing these are the artists of the future.”
RSS principal Greg Kenyon also spoke highly about the qualify of student work, giving praise to Browning for her efforts. “Theresa is a wonderful art teacher who has created incredible relationships with these students.”
A Bit of Everything can be seen at the Revelstoke Visual Art Centre until June 6.
