The Visual Arts Centre vibrated with excitement on Friday, May 6, during the opening of its first two shows of the regular season — Presentation, Representation and Manifestation by students at RSS, and Going for Gold by the Golden Girls. Please click on the photo to see a larger version. David F. Rooney photo
By David F. Rooney
The Visual Arts Centre vibrated with excitement on Friday, May 6, during the opening of its first two shows of the regular season — Presentation, Representation and Manifestation by students at RSS, and Going for Gold by the Golden Girls.
There are more than 150 works in the two shows, with 133 works of part created by 70 RSS students. There re some real gems on display in both shows and I was particularly struck by two small bronze statuettes — one of a burrowing owl and the other of a horse — produced by RSS student Gabrielle Sawatzky. They are clear evidence that this teenager has some remarkable talent bubbling in her veins. Four other young ladies from the school — Cailin English, Tia Sakiyama, Sierra-Lynn Frazier and Abigail Brackenbury — each assembled enough work that they effectively produced their own shows within the overarching umbrella of the school show. It will be interesting to see what these young ladies accomplish, artistically speaking, in the months and years to come.
Meanwhile, the Golden Girls present the art-loving public with the lovely and sometimes very whimsical watercolours we have come to expect from them. It’s hard to imagine that 10 or so years ago these senior ladies were just starting out and were almost embarrassed to display their first paintings. They’ve come a very long way and it shows, too, in the number of paintings that were quickly snapped up by art show patrons.
If you missed the opening you still enjoy them by dropping by the Visual Arts Centre on Wilson Street just behind the Days Inn. They are open to the public from noon until 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday until May 27.
RSS Principal Greg Kenyon, poses with Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre Executive Director Jackie Pendergast, Art Teacher Theresa Browning and five of her students who had their own special shows within the context of the annual RSS show. These especially talented young women are Cailin English, Tia Sakiyama, Gabrielle Sawatsky, Sierra-Lynn Frazier and Abigail Brackenbury. David F. Rooney photoThe young ladies had fun cutting the traditional RSS show-opening cake under the appreciative eye of Mr. Kenyon. David F. Rooney photoThis small and remarkably detailed bronze statue of a burrowing owl was produced by Gabrielle Sawatzky. This level of accomplishment by a teenager is something you do not see very often. While the basic execution of this work was entirely accomplished by Gabrielle, her Uncle Peter Sawatzky is an established sculptor in Manitoba and helped her pour the bronze. David F. Rooney photoGabrielle poses with a small bronze horse she created. Her Uncle Peter helped her with the bronze. David F. Rooney photoWatercolourist Sherrin Davis, who was showing work in the Golden Girls’ show, talks with RSS art student Sierra-Lynn Frazier David F. Rooney photoThe fruit in this still life by Sherrin Davis look almost good enought to eat. David F. Rooney photoLinda McGee’s Sunflower may be paint on paper but is nonetheless quite lifelike. David F. Rooney photoGreg Kenyon admires a mask by Cailin English. David F. Rooney photo
