The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre opened the exhibit Art in the Park and Glacier Adventure Stewardship Program (GASP) last night to positive reviews and a packed house. The exhibit, which will be available for viewing until November 16, features the work of 11 artists and 17 photographers from grades nine and ten.
The gallery walls were covered in artwork created in a variety of mediums, and the quality was exceptional.
“It’s an awesome exhibit,” says April Revitt, who came with her family to view the various pieces. “It’s fun to see the park through other people’s eyes.”
Several children were on hand admiring the work. They were especially drawn to a photo collage by Derek Dix. “It’s my favourite,” one said, “because there is a chipmunk in it.”
Dix’s current body of work features old fashioned photos blended into digital collages. “It’s about the human experience with nature,” he says. “What we view as freedom vs the power of nature as well the concept of wilderness vs wildness, which I think it very interesting.”
For Claudia Bambie, being a part of a group of artists meant exploring the wilderness with a group of like-minded individuals.
“What blew my mind the most,” says Bambie, “was that when I stopped to look at something; to admire the texture maybe, other artists also stopped and took it in and admired it. Whereas, when I’m hiking with friends and I stop to examine something, they end up way ahead of me.”
Last night’s opening was the first time Bambie had seen the work produced by the other artists. “It’s so impressive,” she says. “There is so much beauty here I just want to stare forever.”
Arleigh Garratt, known around town as a jeweler and the owner of Garnish Handmade Boutique downtown, found being part of Art in the Park encouraged her to experiment in her medium. “I don’t always dedicate time for myself and my art process, so being in Art in the Park was a chance to do some things that are not common for me,” she says. “Rather than creating jewelry, I made vessels, which I haven’t done since school. It was fun to do something just for myself.”
The stunning photographs from the GASP program will be featured at a later date in the Modern Bakeshop and Cafe. The Art in the Park exhibit will travel to other communities in Canada.
Entry forms for students who are interested in participating in GASP next year will be available at the school by mid-November.
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