Chemainus Secondary School art teacher Craig Miller organized the annual Creation art show that has been going for 17 years at the school since 1995. The show is a legacy that he inherited when he was hired as the art teacher two years ago.
Miller completed a fine arts degree and attended both Capilano College in North Vancouver and the University of Victoria. His eclectic guidance has obviously inspired the students to try a variety of edgy and traditional art media.
The show, named A Tree in a Cloud, displayed a series of student watercolours on this topic at the entrance of the Chemainus Secondary School library, where the show was hung. Parents, families, community members and students viewed the show during school hours from June 4-7.
Miller noted that his students are talented and that for a small school, the creativity level is advanced. He attributes this to the artistic and creative acceptance in Chemainus that has put arts to the forefront, starting with the town murals. Children raised in Chemainus have art visible every time they walk down the main streets, and this is seared into their first visual memories.
A town that supports art obviously raises artists — this was noticeable in the calibre of the art at the Creation show.
The contributing artists ranged from Grade 8 to 12 and included fused glassware, rug-hooking, paper maché and tissue paper sculpture, collage, reclaimed vinyl and record art, watercolour, acrylic, mosaic tile, pen and ink on disposable coffee cups, and charcoal drawing.
You might want to keep an eye on students such as Grade 12 student Benji Pegg, using watercolour to express the world around him; Grade 10 student Hannah Holmes, whose watercolour and pen and ink drawing catch your breath; and Grade 9 collage artist with a message, Camellia Celeste. These are just a few of the artists that the show highlighted.
It is obvious that Miller is nurturing the expanding talents in the school with a creative and inspiring environment called the Art Room.
