28.04.2013 | 09.06.2013
36TH ANNUAL ART’S ALIVE AND WELL IN THE SCHOOLS
OPENING RECEPTION: SUNDAY, APRIL 28 | 1 TO 5 PM
Opening Reception sponsored by Pratt & Whitney Canada
At the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, springtime is celebrated with the opening of our annual exhibition Art’s Alive and Well in the Schools. The feeling of rejuvenation surrounds us as we welcome the arrival of hundreds of artworks. Brightly coloured and completely uninhibited, these artworks restore our own sense of joyful wonder and youthful gaiety. The freedom and expressive nature of children’s art continues to be an inspiration to all of us.
Opening on Sunday, April 28, with the support of Pratt & Whitney Canada, this annual exhibition features a collection of over 400 artworks from children in grades K-12 throughout Lethbridge School District #51 and the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division. Each piece is handpicked by our community’s dedicated teachers and displays the vibrancy, talent and imagination of youth in our community.
This exhibition provides an opportunity to honour the artistic development of children and youth in our community while challenging viewers to observe the world through the artistic interpretations of a new generation. Now in its 36th year, this program continues to play a significant role in nurturing and validating creative expression within our community. Jane Huson, art teacher at Winston Churchill High School notes “Art’s Alive is vital because it provides an arena for our community, parents, teachers and the artists to come together to share their work outside of the classroom.” For many youth, making art is a solitary pursuit and to have a professional and public venue to showcase their talent is a rare treat that offers a glimpse of the possibilities that lay ahead.
Art’s Alive also provides our young artists an opportunity to share their creative accomplishments with other school children through our Gallery School program. This program provides class tours of the exhibition as well as an opportunity for visiting students to create, display and discuss their own art. This program is lead by Gallery Educator, Paige Rosner and is assisted by our dedicated crew of generous volunteers.
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery would like to extend sincere thanks to the devoted teachers who assist in organizing this popular event and especially to Phylis Furukawa, our liaison at School District #51 who enthusiastically arranges the many elements that allow us to successfully display the hundreds of artworks provided by local students. Over this 36-year long partnership, more than 15,000 students have exhibited their artwork at SAAG, and Art’s Alive enjoys a strong presence in the collective memory of our community. Many adults remember, as children, proudly bringing their parents to see their artwork exhibited in Art’s Alive, and now their children are getting this same opportunity. What a fantastic way to be a part of community life and to celebrate creativity from generation to generation!