What an uplifting experience it is to have interviewed committed art students. Their expressions radiate enthusiasm and hope in anticipation of their careers in the chosen field of the arts. I met two such students while planning for the upcoming show at the Community Arts Centre at Tulista Park.
As it did last year, the Community Arts Council invited Parkland secondary school art students, under the guidance of artist and teacher Andre Gogol, to mount a show of their work. However, the council this year has taken student involvement a step further. It decided to have students see what happens back stage in producing an art exhibit. The council applied for, and received, an Olympic Spirit Festival Legacy grant, and these extra funds will provide the students with a budget for advertising, framing, mounting and monitoring the show as well providing for an opening night. Members of the arts council plan to mentor the students in the planning and presenting the show, giving them valuable experience on what goes into gallery work.
The two students that I spoke with were Kaylia Viola and Josiane Vlitos. They told me how they had worked for months on a portfolio in preparation for applying to Emily Carr University of Art and Design. On the presentation day they lined up for five hours along with hundreds of other hopefuls. After a five minute interview in which they were expected to be very articulate and explain details of their art work, they were given a verdict — you can imagine their delight to find they were given immediate acceptance to the University on the strength of their portfolios.
This upcoming show at the Community Arts Centre will feature their and other Parkland student’s work. The title of the exhibit is, Building Our Future: Our Students Run the Gallery. It will run for the month of February from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society offers classes, monthly meetings and a spring show for anyone interested in painting and is looking for instruction.
The society is updating its website and is asking for input to make it user-friendly. Email sam@samboehner.com to give SPAC your thoughts.
The Deep Cove Weavers and Spinners meet weekly and invite craftspeople interested in fibre arts to join them at Holy Trinity Church Hall (corner of Mills and West Saanich) Tuesdays from 9:30 to noon. The website is www.members.shaw.ca/dcws.
Another member group of the arts council is the Sidney Concert Society. There is a concert featuring strings and flutes on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 Third Street in Sidney. For information go to www.sidneyclassicalorchestra.ca.