THUNDER BAY -- Visually, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s latest display looks as professional as ever, yet none of the work was done by a pro.
Instead, local high-school and middle-school artists are the masters behind the work on display at the latest exhibition.
Students from the city's seven secondary schools had the honour of displaying their work, after it was selected by teachers.
The work ranges from canvas paintings, to manipulated photographs, to the visually compelling In Death is Life -- a bed of flowers surrounding a skull, courtesy of St. Patrick’s Kennedy
Julia Mills, a senior from Churchill High, had to paint a still of a series of objects for a class assignment. Ultimately, her teacher decided her piece was compelling enough to be put on display for the city to see.
“I wasn’t really sure what to do, but I went in my room and realized I had a bunch of little knick-knacks,” Mills said. “It was kind of a struggle, but I started with my background and worked my way across the painting.
Mills’ artwork isn’t just something to do in class. Her passion for art has inspired her to enroll in
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Grade 5 student Mason Vance has also taken a keen interest into art after learning about it in school.
His work is part of the Every Picture Tells A Story project at
“It’s just really interesting to see all these photos, and it’s really satisfying to take these pictures,” Mason said.
“I’ve definitely gotten better. I’ve learned a lot more about lighting and angles and all that complicated stuff.”
Despite Mason’s struggles with autism, his mother says photography has been a good outlet for him to express emotion.
“Although he may struggle with some things in everyday life, he can express this equally with photography.”
The opening reception for the elementary exhibition is Wednesday June 7 at 6:30 p.m. and the high school show reception will take place on Thursday June 8 at 6:30 p.m. The art will be on display during regular Art Gallery hours until June 18.
