Students at Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES) have been letting their creativity run wild since the new year, says principal Lauren Alleway, as excitement builds for an upcoming youth-led art exhibit at Agnes Jamieson Gallery (AJG).
Now in its third year, the annual event has become one of Shannon Kelly’s favourites. The gallery curator said it will run Feb. 21 to March 31, featuring works from students across all grades at ASES.
“The first year we had approximately 40 pieces and last year over 100. I think this year we will be somewhere in the middle,” Kelly said. “It is lovely to see how excited and proud the students are to see their work professionally displayed in the gallery, and to be able to show their work to their friends and family.”
The exhibit follows a similar theme to its first two iterations, which saw students produce original artwork expressing what Minden means to them (2024) and how they interpret ‘The Land Between’.
“Students have been asked to talk or write about their thoughts and feelings on the earth and create a piece of artwork that reflects their innermost feelings through a medium of their choice,” Kelly said.
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre Foundation has donated $250 to purchase supplies for the students, Kelly added.
After working with the ASES parent council to coordinate the event for its first two years, Kelly said Alleway took an active role this time around.
Replacing Mike Gervais as principal in the fall, Alleway said the exhibit is a great way for her students to experiment with different art forms.
“This project encourages the use of literacy as an inspiration to their art projects, the use and exposure to multiple mediums,” Alleway said. “I think it is also a wonderful opportunity for the students to understand they are part of a larger community, and the vital role that they play.”
Kelly confirmed the student exhibit would be the first of a busy 2026 season at AJG. Kicking off the year with featured artwork from local youth has become a tradition, the curator said – one she hopes to continue long into the future.
“This, for me, signals the start of the season. We time the exhibit to be on display over March Break, so we can get as many people as possible in to see it. The support from the community has been amazing over the last two years.
“Art should be an important part of every child’s journey because it supports key areas of development – including fine motor skills, cognitive growth and emotional expression,” Kelly said.
“Through art, children build creativity, problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills while also developing the confidence to see the world through their own eyes.”
County-based artists Gary Blundell, Harvey Walker, Nadine Papp and Natalia Brown are returning as jurors for the student exhibit, with awards to be dished out at an artist reception Feb. 28. It will take place at AJG from 1 to 3 p.m.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation.
2026 season at Agnes Jamieson
• Oceans and Light: Arctic Ice by Janet Read, March 26-May 23
• 2026 Members’ Exhibition by Arts Council-Haliburton Highlands, May 28-July 18
• Museum of Her by Michele Karch Ackerman, May 28-July 18
• Works by glass artist Brad Copping, July 23 to Sept. 19
• Letters to Earth: Between Despair and Hope group exhibition curated by Carmel Brennan, Sept. 24 to Nov. 28.
