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40th Anniversary of Partnership Elevating Student Art

The artistic creations of high school students from the District are showing exclusively on both floors of the Burnaby Art Gallery from April 29 until June 5 with two exhibitions: Arts Alive and Thresholds.

Arts Alive Exhibition

This is the 40th anniversary of Arts Alive, which is an annual juried exhibition of student artwork. Put on in partnership with the Burnaby Art Gallery (BAG), each year has an alternating focus between elementary and secondary artists. This year features the work of high school students.

In making their pieces, the youth were encouraged to explore the nature of collective memories. The results are beautiful and thought-provoking. Shown together in the lower gallery, the exhibition is called Tapestry of Tales.

Artist Apprenticeship Exhibition

The exhibition in the upper gallery is titled Thresholds and showcases the creations of Grade 11 and 12 students. They are part of the gallery’s Artist Apprenticeship Program, which supports secondary students in the District with aspirations of pursuing a career in the fine arts.

Each participant developed their project in response to artwork from the BAG’s permanent collection. Through guidance from artists, curators, and art preparators, the students worked collaboratively to develop and curate their own exhibition.

Burnaby Board of Education Chair Jen Mezei:

The student artists showcased in both exhibitions have so much to say and it is incredible to see their voices expressed so beautifully through art. The entire Board is so proud of them. We are deeply grateful to the gallery and others involved for providing these opportunities and remarkable experiences for our youth.”

The exhibitions showcase several styles and mediums, including sculpture, painting, drawing, collage, pastels, pencil crayon, and digital art.

Every year, the Burnaby Art Gallery looks forward to hosting the Artist Apprenticeship Program and Arts Alive, strengthening our amazing connection with the Burnaby School District. Artist Apprenticeship fosters art and creativity in senior secondary students through hands-on guidance and behind the scenes access. And for 40 years, Arts Alive has been a catalyst for young aspiring artists to start presenting their work. Both programs give the rare opportunity to showcase artwork in a professional art gallery setting. The Burnaby Art Gallery is so proud of the students and the artwork they have produced.” 

The student artists whose work is on display are from the following secondary schools: Alpha, Burnaby Central, Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby North, Burnaby South, Byrne Creek, Cariboo Hill, and Moscrop.

Learn more and find the Burnaby Art Gallery’s hours and location here.

 

 

 

 

Posted April 2022