Visit West Vancouver’s Ferry Building Gallery from May 9 to June 2 and you cannot help but marvel at the vibrant energy in the room.
Artworks of various mediums by West Van’s graduating secondary students, namely Collingwood, Mulgrave, Rockridge, Sentinel, and West Vancouver Secondary are on display there, each telling their own unique story. However, what truly captivates a first-time visitor, is not just the talent of these budding artists, rather it’s the overwhelming sense of a community which has come together to celebrate the creativity and passion of its young people.
“It’s such a well-loved exhibition,” said Leigh-Anne Niehaus, community arts supervisor at the Ferry Building. “Because we’ve been doing it for 20 years, we have people coming in and say ‘I was in this exhibition 15 years ago.’ People get very excited when they see that the grad show is on.”
Niehaus is right; excitement was evident on the faces of the opening reception attendees.
“I am so gobsmacked at the talent of these young students,” said Lynne Block, school trustee in West Vancouver, adding, “I think the quality of the works is amazing. Some of these students will go on and be professional artists for the rest of their lives. For some, this will be a hobby. Whatever makes their soul sing is so powerful. They started off here, it’s a celebration of their gifts and what they want to express to the rest of the world.”
Carrie Lehman, the art and design teacher at Rockridge Secondary, believes that it’s extremely important that people who are pursuing anything creative have a chance to showcase their work and to have it professionally hung in a gallery.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity at a high school age, and I think seeing the work of their peers from other schools also makes them recognize that everyone is doing really interesting creative things,” she said.
Art plays an important role in the development of students, Niehaus said.
“Art education fosters creativity, critical thinking, and empathy,” she said. “By showcasing the talents of our young artists and providing a platform for artistic expression, this exhibition not only enhances our cultural landscape but also strengthens the bonds that unite us as a community.”
For more information on the show, visit the gallery's website.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at [email protected].
