Guest Curator: Catherine McIntosh 

The exhibition will feature work in a variety of mediums, including paintings, encaustic works, etchings and three-dimensional pieces. The art was produced by grade 9-12 students from Mount Sentinel Secondary, LV Rogers Secondary, and REACH.

The submissions from LV Rogers’ students represent an eclectic mix of assignments. The works are not unified by a specific theme, rather they represent an exploration of painting through various mediums and styles, including Impressionism, Post-impressionism and non-representational art. Their works reflects the time they spent learning about the artists who worked in those styles and their various painting techniques as well as introducing them to colour theory.

This year, Mount Sentinel Secondary set goals to create awareness around climate change. The art department began a series of in-class workshops in response to climate change issues, including an introductory encaustic painting workshop led by artist Erica Konrad. Most of the works displayed reflect a thematic unity concerning the urgency of acting to protect the future of our environment. Some senior students’ work is a selection of exploratory pieces showing a developing personal iconography. All the students have taken risks in mediums new to them with wonderful results.

The goal of this exhibition is to encourage our young artists by recognizing their hard work and giving them a taste of what it’s like to show in a public gallery. This is the first time that Touchstones Nelson has put on a youth art show, and we are really impressed with the quality of the art pieces submitted and pleased to have the opportunity to share them with the wider community. Collectively, it is a testament to their hard work and offers an exciting glimpse into the strength and diversity of the artistic talent in our community. Last but certainly not least, thanks to the teachers without whose efforts this show would not have been possible