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Cowichan Valley Art Show Success
Shawnigan took the Cowichan Valley visual arts community by storm in March.
Six students took part in the Cowichan Valley Art Council’s Youth Arts Showcase last month, titled “Unfiltered: Unleash Your Authenticity,” with three of those students getting special recognition for their work.
Luona Y. (Grade 11) received an Award of Excellence for “The Highchair,” and Scarlett S. (Grade 12) received a Juror’s Choice Award for “I Said Stop.” Sharon X. (Grade 11) was given an honourable mention. Both Luona and Scarlett took home gift certificates for their achievements, and Scarlett also received a small glass sculpture. Olive S., Yumi L. and Vivi M. also submitted pieces to the show, which featured a total of 89 entries from 77 young artists across the Cowichan Valley.
“When artists share their work in a public gallery, they’re sharing a part of themselves, something deeply personal that they have created,” said art teacher Ms. Annilee Guy. “These students shared their work not only with their peers and the wider community but in a juried show they are also opening themselves up to criticism and judgment, which is a really courageous thing to do.”
Luona’s piece, “The Highchair,” was based on photos of herself at different ages and reflects on family dinners and the related emotions one associates with them as they grow up, with nostalgia for special times like Christmas and Thanksgiving. “I wanted to capture the different emotions and feelings people have surrounding food,” she related.
Scarlett’s piece, “I Said Stop,” examines sexual assault, and features a lot of symbolism, layers, and “messy” – her word – work. “I don’t like to plan art out,” she explained. The painting captures being in a vulnerable position and spiralling out of control, with the figures presented in “monster” form – Scarlett’s personal way of representing people.
Scarlett said it was “gratifying” to receive an award for her piece. “I feel like my efforts are being recognized.”
“It inspires you to do more and go farther with your work, like you’re representing your school and your community,” Luona said, adding praise for Scarlett’s work. “Scarlett’s topic, I think, will resonate with lots of people. It could be inspiring to other people to express something that they haven’t been able to do publicly.”
Ms. Guy is looking forward to another local show in Ladysmith in May, and is encouraging students to submit pieces for that as well.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
