Student artists from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School shared their creative works in the third annual under-19 juried exhibition at the Art Gallery of Bancroft. Thirteen artists submitted a total of 17 creative works in the regional showcase, juried by visual artist and educator, Henry Melissa Gordon, from Guelph.
Several Red Hawk artists received recognition, including Gr. 12 student Olivia Brown, who’s still life drawing Moments in Time, received the best drawing award. Gordon described Brown’s work as “skillful and interesting.” She notes that “it feels like a personal collection of objects that tells us something about the artist. It takes lots of drawing skill to show the different textures of hair, fabric, flowers, a screen, book cover and pages, and a ceramic mug.”
Gr. 10 artist Sophia Burke received the award for best painting or mixed media work, for her acrylic on canvas entitled If you’re so full of love, why don’t you give yourself some? Gordon said Burke’s painting “beautifully captures a quiet, introspective moment. The composition feels right…I love the gold highlights where the legs and arms disappear into the water. The title really deepens our understanding of the painting.”
Gr. 9 student Annika Gervais also received an honourable mention in the category for her mixed media work Open Your Eyes. Gordon wrote, “there is a great progression in this artwork, from overwhelm and anxiety to hopefulness. The combination of drawing and collage works well to support this powerful message”
Teacher Karen Gervais said it was a bittersweet moment for student artist Annabelle Borgdorff, who has participated in the show since its inauguration. Borgdorff will graduate this year and she took some time to reflect on this movement in her life in her mixed media work, The Final Curtsy.
An opening reception was held March 6, attended by many of the student artists. The exhibition is presented by Karen and Gord Savage and runs at the Art Gallery of Bancroft until March 29.
