ARTISTIC AMBITIONS
Sandwich grad students stage collective exhibit at Mackenzie Hall
Having spent a good chunk of their high school years together creating art, inspiring each other and displaying their work in larger school board shows, a group of graduating Sandwich arts students are doing the one thing they never got to try.
“We always were together with five or more schools and other grades from our school at any art show,” said Emma Litschko, who initiated the idea.
“I thought this would be something more intimate with just the graduating Grade 12s. It’s kind of our last hurrah.”
If organizing and opening such a show in less than three weeks qualifies as an art form, then Litschko has helped create a masterpiece.
Working with Sandwich visual arts and photography teacher Sanja Srdanov, along with fellow student artists Ashley Kerr, David Scott, Spencer Ginn and Megan Saxton, the group has assembled a collection that will be displayed at the Common Ground Art Gallery in MacKenzie Hall.
“It’s been a challenge,” said Litschko, who also enlisted her parents (both art teachers) to help. “We’ve mixed the pieces and it’s a challenge trying to fit it all together.”
The free exhibit opens Thursday and runs until July 29. The doors will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
“This is the strongest group I’ve had in my 16 years,” Srdanov said. “They’re not only talented in their technique, but conceptually their ideas are strong. They’re thorough in their research and in the creative process.”
The exhibit will feature 42 pieces of art, including works in the areas of sculpture, photography, pencil and pen portraits, textile and fabrics, watercolours and mixed media. The pieces will also be available for sale.
“I’m lucky to be part of this,” Kerr said. “I’m hoping it helps people know who we are as artists.
“It’s a creative outlet. It’s a hobby that’s become a passion that I hope I can make a career out of.”
Ginn is getting a substantial helping hand in furthering his career ambitions to become a creative director for a design company.
He has landed a scholarship from Toronto’s Ontario College of Art and Design worth $6,800 annually for four years.
Ginn has specialized in mixed media with a focus on fabrics, textiles and threads.
“I just like making stuff,” he said. “I like getting my hands on stuff.
“I didn’t do any other extracurricular activities, so art gave me something to do.”
Like the others, Ginn appreciates the opportunity to get another art show on his resume and build his community exposure.
“Maybe I’ll even sell something,” he said.
For David Scott, his art has filled a void and connected with people in ways he doesn’t fully understand. He draws inspiration from a passion for skateboarding and cites artist Craig Gleason as an influence.
He hopes his fascination with crazy characters can translate into his pursuit of becoming a 2D and 3D animator.
“Boredom,” Scott said of why he started painting and drawing. “Art has had a lot of impact on my life.
“People tell me it makes them feel differently looking at my art. I don’t see it myself, but I’m glad if it gets people thinking.
“I don’t know where it comes from sometimes.”
This is the strongest group I’ve had in my 16 years. They’re not only talented in their technique, but conceptually their ideas are strong.