Student work featured at Birchwood
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 26/01) - The fine art students at St. Patrick high school are about to discover what it feels like to hang like a pro.
Teacher Koren Erler planned an exhibit at Birchwood Gallery, open to the public, so that her students could experience one of the final steps of creation: being seen.
"Framing and hanging gives you recognition for work you've done," says Erler.
"There's a satisfaction to being seen, having people look at your work and react to it," she says.
This is a first-time student show for Birchwood, says co-owner Dana Britton.
Walls will be cleared of professional work to accommodate the 30-plus pieces.
"This is very interesting for us because we have no idea what they've produced. I'm very excited to see what the young artists in our community are doing," says Britton, adding that she's happy to be supporting their artistic endeavour.
This particular show is a new extension of a program that already exists in all Yellowknife Catholic schools. Pieces by students hang all over town at various businesses, and in the hallways of their schools.
"It's an excellent way for students to build pride in their work," says Erler.
Erler adds that it's a daunting experience for students to be faced with a big, blank sheet of paper, but they are often surprised with the outcome.
"Education is not all about books. Another part of the mind is exercised," she says.
About 100 students are enrolled in the visual arts program at St. Pat's. The arts is not an option.
"In order to graduate, students must have three credits in either drama, music or visual art."
Andrew Matthews, a Grade 10 student, chose to take a second semester of visual arts.
"There was no way I was going into drama," he says. "I enjoyed (visual art) last year. I just enjoy doing it and it looks really cool."
Matthews has submitted an untitled charcoal and pastel piece for the exhibit -- charcoal being his favourite medium.
The piece, an exercise in "reducing visual info while maintaining the image" was created by choosing a photograph and cutting it into 30 pieces. Matthews then chose 12 squares, which he arranged and reproduced. The finished product strongly suggests a Northern landscape. Matthews explains that the original photograph was of a small Icelandic community.
Erler encourages representatives of local businesses to attend the show and choose a piece to showcase at the workplace.
