Annual Regional High School Exhibition

MAY 17, 2019 TO JUNE 17, 2019
Main Gallery

ABOUT

Reciprocity is a mutual relationship between people involving the exchange of goods, services, favors, or obligations.  In this case, the relationship is between the students, art teachers, the gallery, and First Things First Okanagan. Last year FTFO approached the gallery and schools with the idea of partnering to create a body of work about climate change.  As a result, this year a section of the gallery will display art created along this theme. 

In the South Okanagan we are lucky to have a dedicated group of individuals teaching our youth and taking up the task of informing our community of the consequences of climate change.  It is important that this year’s major theme is to promote awareness and seek solutions for a better future. 

A teenager’s perspective is always different; raw, emotional, rebellious.  There is a connection to the work, regardless of subject or medium that comes from an adolescent mindset.  Shauna Reid from Penticton Secondary writes, “This year the Penticton Secondary Art Studio has been a busy place. Students have been working with both 2D and 3D mediums. We have tackled themes such as the environment and self-awareness through metaphor. We are excited to be part of this group exhibition.”   Kathy Spalding from Summerland writes, “In creating a community of learners, students voiced their own ideas, pursued their interests, and developed their own understanding. This openness fostered curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking. Artistic development, diversity, and engagements were hallmarks of the arts program.”  Brad Gibson from Princess Margaret adds, “This annual show offers our students an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional environment.  In return, students often feel a sense of pride in knowing that their work is valued by an audience larger than the school walls we work within.  These shows also help build the confidence in our young people and reinforce the importance of using art as a creative outlet for personal expression.”

Media and science bombard us with doomsday scenarios about climate change.  A recent editorial entitled Fact or Fiction in the Penticton Western News talked about misinformation being used to polarize the public in pursuit of corporate interests, and how humans filter information as a mechanism of comfort.  Essentially, humans struggle with too much bad news and denial is the common way of dealing with climate deniers.  The editorial ended up saying it is up to the younger generations to make the necessary changes.