Friday, June 5, 2009
TALENT ABOUNDS THROUGHOUT DISTRICTThirty Grade 12 art portfolio submissions as well as the jury-selected Best of Each Portfolio, were on display at the Centre for Education earlier this week. The portfolios showed the breadth of the student's inspirations which ranged from a trip to Kenya to explorations of contemporary culture.
One of the thirty featured artists, Sham Sandhu enthused, "It was really cool to be part of this show and to see the reactions to my art." Sham is inspired by people and likes to pull out certain features from their faces, dramatizing them. She has gifted her soon-to-be alma mater, Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts, with her largest piece, Big Faces, which took her three months to complete. Sham wants to continue on with her art studies with the hope of entering the Fine Arts Program at MacEwan.
Shane Colby, Manager/Curator with the Travelling Exhibitions Program at the Art Gallery of Alberta and Wendy Salter, an art teacher at Allendale School formed the jury that selected 20 pieces from the initial 30 portfolios (over 300 pieces of art) to be shown at the 14th Annual Edmonton Public Schools Award Exhibition during The Works Art & Design Festival in downtown Edmonton.
In addition, Strathcona student Robyn Taylor-Neu was chosen as the overall Art Award winner. The jurors found her work extremely mature and evocative, noting, "Your use of colour, composition and painting technique created portraits full of expressive power and maturity." Her work will be displayed in the Centre for Education once the Works Festival has come to a close.
The Works, on from June 19 to July 1, is a free event that draws an audience representing all ages and interests, offering over 200 exciting exhibits and special events to the public.
Amanda Salmon, a student at Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts had her piece Space chosen for the Works. Her reaction to being selected? "Pretty sweet! This will build up my experience." Amanda who usually works with wood and glass has decided to pursue a tattoo apprenticeship upon graduation adding, "Tattooing is a decent way to make a living while still giving me the opportunity to pursue my art."
On Wednesday, June 17 The Works Festival will present awards to the students based on innovation, vision and design. This opening reception, which is open to the public, takes place from 4 - 5:30 p.m. at City Hall's Kids in the Hall Bistro. The Award Exhibition runs until August 25.
For more information on The Works please visit their website: http://www.theworks.ab.ca/
Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community.
Edmonton Public Schools
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9