K-12 students reflect on who they are with Identity art exhibition

James Ardiel Elementary Grade 7 student Tegan Camozzi painted a portrait for her submission to Identity.The district is presenting a new showcase of artwork from students of all ages, analyzing their sense of self and what it means to be them.

Identity, opening Friday, March 3, is the latest exhibition of Surrey and White Rock student artwork, highlighting 40 unique pieces by students from 30 elementary and secondary schools. The exhibition is hosted in collaboration with the Arts Council of Surrey and in a new partnership with the Newton Cultural Centre.

“It’s wonderful to see so many learners having the opportunity to find voice through art,” said Sandra Meister, an arts education helping teacher in the district. “This is a new initiative for Surrey Schools in that it’s encompassing the emergence of art skills from kindergarten through Grade 12.”

Meister said the theme of identity has inspired some powerful works of art from students, with many different interpretations that vary greatly between younger and older students.

“When you think about identity throughout life, for our youngest learners, it’s asking ‘Where do I fit in this little world called my classroom?’” she said. “It’s about how they belong. Then in adolescent years, identity is more, ‘Who am I, do I have a voice, and how do I find that?’ And in adulthood, it’s how our identity is shaped by our career choices and our life choices and family situations.

“It’s such an overarching theme to encompass work by five-year-olds to students who are ready to graduate.”

The exhibition features two-dimensional art pieces, including oil paintings, water colours, pencil sketches, pencil crayon drawings, collages and mixed media pieces.

The exhibition runs March 3-30 at the Newton Cultural Centre, 13530 72^nd Ave. The gallery is open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day except Mondays. An opening reception for students, teachers and district staff is scheduled for Thursday, March 9 from 5:30-7 p.m.

By Tristan Phommanviset, Grade 9, Clayton Heights Secondary

By Avia Buchanan, Grade 3, Rosemary Heights Elementary