On May 21st to 23rd The Bella Coola Valley Arts council sponsored the annual Children’s Art Show. During this event school age children are invited to bring one or two pieces of art work to the Valley Gallery to be displayed. The success of this show is highly dependent upon the teachers in the schools who have their classes paint or make something to be hung in the gallery.
I am always amazed at the creativity of both the teachers and students. Often a whole class will produce art with a certain theme, like the stylized paintings which resemble the late Ted Harrison’s art , or the snakes that were waiting by the door to bite unwary visitors. Acwasalcta school entered a set of pictures featuring a Picasso like outline of a face, while SDA students cleverly painted four panels which fitted together to represent the Four Seasons.
Several high school students entered pieces showing a surprising sophistication and artistic ability. Many of the younger students touring through the gallery looked at these and ‘ oooh’d and aaah’d’. I have no doubt that in years to come some of these elementary students will be producing equally impressive work.
There were entries by 78 different youngsters, some of whom had more than one piece of art ( and a few really prolific artists!) All of the schools arranged to have their students visit the Gallery during the show. I enjoyed watching them take in all the art, and asked them what they liked the best. Not surprisingly they all liked the senior students’ work, but they also liked some of the really colourful paintings, and the cleverly done foxes, not to mention the SNAKES.
As I looked at the art work repeatedly over the three days, I saw more and more detail and creative ideas. I loved Mariah’s drawing of a girl in a window playing a violin. All the students recognized Aeris’ Rapunzel. We spent a lot of time looking at Dez’s scary creatures.
Thanks to all the teachers who encouraged their students to produce some art and enter it. And thanks to all the students who had the courage to show their work.