Surrey secondary students take art to a new dimension with Connected exhibition

Clockwise from top left, To the West by Travis Mayes-Wong of École Salish Secondary, Bloom by Lena Park of Clayton Heights Secondary, Japanese Dwelling by Hilary Ban of Earl Marriott Secondary and Self-Crafted by Calleigh Nguyen of Enver Creek Secondary, all works by Surrey secondary students featured in the Connected exhibition at the Surrey Art Gallery.The Surrey Art Gallery is shining a spotlight on many of the district’s skilled and talented secondary art students, highlighting nearly 50 works of art in its new Connected exhibition.

New to the biennial showcase are seven three-dimensional sculptures, in addition to 50 paintings, illustrating the variety and depth of arts education and young artists in Surrey and White Rock. The exhibition includes artwork from Grade 8 to 12 students at Clayton Heights, Earl Marriott, Enver Creek, Fleetwood Park, Frank Hurt, Fraser Heights, Grandview Heights, L.A. Matheson, North Surrey, Salish and Sullivan Heights secondary schools.

“We usually stick to 2D and the gallery frames all of that for us, but this year, we’re including some 3D works,” said arts education helping teacher Tricia Liversidge. “We have some clay sculptures by our students – everything is really amazing.”

While previous student exhibitions have shied away from themes so as not to restrict creativity, Connected was chosen for its broad appeal and openness to interpretation, drawing inspiration from the Surrey Art Teachers Association fall exhibit Connect.

“The theme is somewhat related – it can be connection with peers, with nature, with something that speaks to them or they’re trying to share to connect other people,” said Liversidge. “So much of what we do in education is finding and making connections, and we see that expressed through art.”

Select pieces deal with strong subject matter and real world issues, such as the protests in Iran, violence against women, unrealistic beauty standards, climate change and the personal struggles of the artists. However, the works include a sense of optimism with messages of healing, hope and joy through connections to family and community.

“I have a lot of admiration for these students and their ability to share with the world what they’re thinking and feeling in a way that isn’t necessarily words,” said Liversidge. “I’m truly in awe of the amazing depth of creativity and wisdom and insight that they can show just through a piece.”

The exhibition is free and runs until May 6. The Surrey Art Gallery is located at 13750 88 Ave. For hours and more information, click here