An “Emergence” of Northern Secondary School Artists

Our Crater was invited to attend the opening of the Emergence 2017 art exhibit at the Art Gallery of Sudbury last Wednesday and obviously, I checked out all the excitement and today I’m sharing a recap of my visit. 

The exhibit is composed of works of art from students of thirteen participating secondary schools from the various school boards in the area: Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Le consiel scolaire du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, and Le consiel scoliare du Nouvel-Ontario. 

The Emergence exhibit started in the 1970s and speaks to the process of growth, exploration, maturation, and the artistic nurturing of the soul. The opening ceremonies and awards celebrated this with a packed house coming to appreciate and contemplate the fine works that these students have once again brought to the gallery.

Starting the night was a performance piece presented by Mariana Lafrance from Little Current titled “Downstream from here, upstream from now” and “Cups against saucers”. Needless to say (from the pictures at least) it was an experience that a mere description could not do justice. Walking into this long dark room with a single spotlight on a large checkerboard with teacups and saucers set up for a game and two large hooded dolls hanging from the ceiling at each side. Lafrance enters with a thermos and pool cue. The rest is really up to the experience, so you should go check out #Emergence.

Other pieces lined the gallery walls, many leaving spectators flabbergasted with the images they’ve created. One of my favourites was this untitled piece by Sudbury Secondary School student Deshawna Webb featured below. Paintings and sculptures range from the realistic to the eccentric and colourful to dark.

Deshawna Webb – Sudbury Secondary School

The Art Gallery of Sudbury will be celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2018, Demetra Christakos, Director/Curator, and I chatted about the impact that the AGS has had in that time and the big plans it has for the future. The AGS currently provides thirteen art education programs (six onsite, seven offsite) that caters to more than 7000 patrons every year.

Emergence will be on display at the Art Gallery of Sudbury until Sunday, May 14.

For more information visit www.artsudbury.org.

Daniel Melchior

Daniel Melchior’s body no longer pumps blood but pure espresso. Your go-to guy for anything Laurentian, you can always find him on campus, coffee cup in hand. He’s packed his schedule with so much some say he cloned himself to do it all – we think so too.

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