Claresholm Emerging Artists Gala celebrates artists in Livingstone Range School Divsion

'Loric Stian' by Lauren Fisher
Matthew Halton High School
Photos by Lauren Fisher

Toni Lucas

The Emerging Artists Gala was hosted at the Livingstone Range School Division Central office in Claresholm on Tuesday, October 14. This event is the opening of a public showing where young artists from the school division have their work judged, professionally framed, and/or presented in the central office over the course of the school year. This year 79 students were represented, with 88 artworks in a variety of genres and mediums being displayed through May, 2015.

'Anomalous' by Amanda Frost
Matthew Halton High School

"It was really interesting, and a little cramped," said artist and gala attendee Lauren Fisher, a Matthew Halton High School grade 12. "I had a piece in there, and I wanted to see it being displayed. There was some really interesting art." Fisher and her friend Amanda Frost have a piece that is on display in the Calgary Tower called 'To See Before Being Seen'. Fisher expressed that she feels differently about that piece, possibly because it is a mural that is painted directly on the wall. Fisher's  colour drawing of a fantasy anthropomorphic bear titled 'Loric Stian' was displayed at the Emerging Artists Gala. Fisher described a complex and detailed storyline that the drawing had been inspired by.

'Salutations and Solitude' (detail) by Amanda Frost
Matthew Halton High School

Fisher explained that the students had the choice to offer their pieces for sale, or just for display.  For her own piece in the show she said, "It's not for sale, so it's not like I have said goodbye to it," She recognizes that she is growing in her artistic ability since she completed the work. "In just the span of six months, It looks like I dialed it in," she said, critiquing her own past understanding of light and shadow.

'Daffodil' by Nevaeh MacKinnon
Livingstone School

"If you love art, you might as well create what you start, rather than copying someone else." She is looking forward to doing more art and murals in her future. "I want to do a grad mural, yes, and I want to do a mural on my own."

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