Following a hugely successful exhibition by students from nine Vernon area elementary schools, the big kids get the chance to showcase their talents at the Vernon Public Art Gallery starting Thursday.
Art and Soul is an annual exhibition of artwork by students in Grades 8 to 12 from the Vernon School District. The VPAG has hosted this event for many years, and invites all high schools in the Greater Vernon area to submit artwork for display.
“It’s an opportunity for young artists to take part in a group exhibition in a professional gallery setting, often for the first time,” said Dauna Kennedy Grant, VPAG executive director.
Time spent in art class in high school is where students begin to develop their own artistic styles and preferences of mediums and subject matters. It is at this time when students decide if they wish to pursue visual arts as an elective later in high school and then into post-secondary art institutions.
Submissions vary greatly and include illustration, painting, sculpture, and multi-media, and some of the work is used towards scholarship and university applications.
“The gallery offers a total of four exhibition spaces for artists. Showcasing high school artwork right next to the exhibition of an established Canadian artist gives students inspiration to continue to strive toward excellence in the field of visual arts. It also offers audiences a diverse selection of artwork for viewing.” said Kennedy Grant.
Art and Soul opens with a reception Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. The work will be shown in the three exhibition spaces adjacent to the VPAG’s main gallery, which is currently housing Richard Suarez’s quantamspaces. Both exhibitions continue to May 23.
Admission to the gallery is by donation. The VPAG is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events visit www.vernonpublicartgallery.com
