26.04.2015 | 07.06.2015
38TH ANNUAL ART'S ALIVE AND WELL IN THE SCHOOLS
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 26 at 12:30 PM
Sponsored by Pratt & Whitney
Every year Art's Alive & Well in the Schools reminds us that art is a fundamental aspect of learning and creative development. This one-of-a-kind exhibition features over 400 works by students from kindergarten through grade 12 and highlights the diversity of talent in our schools. The art on display reveals a community of young artists skilled in the acts of drawing, painting and sculpting but also reflects the creative and conceptual capacity of children growing up in today's world. It is inspiring to encounter a collection of work so vividly expressing a spirit of collaboration, vision, and innovation, all of which are foundations of a 21st Century learning experience.
Art's Alive is a diverse collection of artwork that urges us to recognize just how important art education and creative expression are in the synthesis of core concepts from all disciplines. We see works that draw from history, science, math, sociology and computer science; from contemporary art recreations to one-of-a-kind designs. Students are a the heart of this exhibition, however it is also an expression of the hard work and dedication of teachers and school administrators who work tirelessly to craft a learning environment for the modern world. We want to thank teachers for inspiring the next generation of artists, innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs.
SAAG is grateful for the efforts of Phyllis Furukawa from Lethbridge School District No. 51, the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 4 and the countless art representatives from each of the participating schools. We take enormous pleasure working with the education community to coordinate this installation of hundreds of works, fostering the creativity of some of our School Districts' most talented students.
Francine Desjardins from École Agnes Davidson School has organized this year's Art's Alive mural. The installation is a configuration of hand woven baskets, which when installed create a fluttering of woven colour that elevates the imagination. While these baskets were created to showcase each student's distinct point of view and skill set, together they highlight just how impactful a group of students can be when they are brought together. This kind of collaborative installation exemplifies the presence of community and togetherness that Art's Alive aims to embody.
At the heart of this exhibition is the students' clear desire to move beyond crafting. They become makers whose creations have value beyond the scope of preciousness. Each year our educators tour thousands of students, teachers, and parents throughout this six-week exhibition and experience first hand the creativity of students during the tour's hands-on art activity. During this time students are encouraged to explore their creativity using a myriad of media to draw inspiration from the exhibition's many works. We find students immeasurably excited to showcase their skills, creative points-of-view and to share with us their own passion for making art.
Funding assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the City of Lethbridge.