Students from Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Morden Collegiate, and W.C. Miller Collegiate participated in the Southern Manitoba Student Art Show from May 5-13 at Altona’s Gallery in the Park.
Jolene Friesen-Stoesz teaches art at MCI and says this year each school could choose their own themes for their exhibits.
“We wanted there to be more openness for creativity, so that whatever the schools were working on could be presented as they saw fit.”
Dozens of Grades 9-12 students from all three schools participated in the show, with a wide variety of mediums and genres on display.
“For our students, a lot of acrylic paint in multi-media was used. One theme we did for all grades was called Heart Songs. This involved taking a song that spoke to you, taking the lyrics and interpreting them in a visual way with acrylic paint and other media as well. Visitors got to see a wide range of emotions and materials. It was a chance for students to show their creativity and their abilities with different media.”
Some students were a bit nervous to display their work.
“I told them we’ve only ever heard positive things about the student exhibits, and it’s always such a good thing for the community to see what the students are creating, and it’s so good for the students to put themselves out there and hear all the positive feedback from the community. I give them a lot of credit for that bravery.”
Friesen-Stoesz says the students were involved with set up as well and could sign up to sit at the gallery and be a welcoming presence for the people coming to see the pieces.
“This gives them good experience for the future.”
Many visitors were impressed with the variety and depth of the art.
“It’s so good for people to have a little look into the hearts and minds of the young people in our communities,” Friesen-Stoesz says. “There were some heavy pieces, and some light-hearted pieces. With art you get to see the whole range. It’s self-expression and emotion.”
W.C. Miller Gr. 12 students Mia Sawatzky and Coen Gagne created the painting The Paths of Life together. The acrylic piece features a pair of shoes dangling in front of a canvas covered in shoe tread prints.
Their interpretation of the work states: “Our project focuses on the concepts of feeling alone and being okay with it because you still have people who continue to support you. Sometimes on the different paths of life, your shoes and path can feel black and scary. However, there will still be some people who will look at the bottom of your shoes and realize who you really are. These people will help you on your path no matter what the colour of your shoes are, and finally, in the end your shoes will leave behind a vibrant and infinite path of memories and experiences full of life and colour representing who you are.”
Traffic was steady for the show, and Friesen-Stoesz is grateful for response and the positive feedback from the community.
“I think this is something that’s gone on in the past and we hope to continue in the future. Just keep encouraging the youth in your lives and keep creating and making things. It’s good for everybody.”
In recent years, more students are participating in art education.
“It’s increasingly important. I think people are always looking for opportunities to express themselves,” Friesen-Stoesz says. “Putting it out there in a gallery is the next level. It’s not just for yourself now, it’s for the community. So that takes courage. Your views and your gift are right there for the public to see. It’s a good practice not just for artistic reasons but also to gain the confidence to put your work and your ideas out there. Sharing is the final step.”
