Elementary & secondary art exhibitions in Surrey highlight student creativity

From left, 'Starry Nights' by Gurnoor Aujla (oil pastel on paper), 'A Stroll Through Paris' by Aikam Pandher (watercolour and pencil crayon on paper) and 'Eyes of the Void' by Deryl Galito (acrylic and paper applique on canvas), just three pieces in the elementary art exhibition at the Surrey Art Gallery from Feb. 3 to April 21. The Museum of Surrey is also hosting the secondary visual art exhibition from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students from across the district are showcasing their artistic abilities in two art exhibitions for elementary and secondary students.

The Surrey Art Gallery is hosting the elementary art exhibition from Saturday, Feb. 3, to Sunday, April 21, while the Museum of Surrey is home to the secondary visual art exhibition from Tuesday, Jan. 30, to Friday, Feb. 9. The elementary exhibition features more than 50 art pieces, including a handful of 3D artworks, by students at 22 schools in the district.

“The Surrey Art Gallery has been great in being able to open it up a little bit to accommodate some 3D pieces,” said the district’s arts education helping teacher Tricia Liversidge. “One school submitted a large, collaborative Lego structure – they had several students working on it and it’s a really neat representation of student artwork.

“As far as I know, this may be the first time an art piece made of Lego has been in one of our exhibits, which is very exciting.”

The secondary visual art exhibition primarily features two-dimensional works, with art pieces by students from 12 local secondary schools.

Liversidge said it’s always amazing to see the creativity and artistic expression of students year after year.

“I love how these exhibitions can share student artwork beyond their school,” she said. “There’s so much depth and emotion and messaging that is included in so many of these pieces. We’ve seen inspiration from so many different places.

“It’s inspiring to see students learn about other artists and their particular styles, and be influenced by the artwork in their own style and the media they use. The feeling it evokes, it’s just incredible to see the pieces that come out of that.”

Additionally, more student artwork will be on display at the District Education Centre from early February until Spring Break, as part of an initiative to shine a spotlight on student skills and creativity.

The secondary visual art exhibition has an opening celebration planned for students and their families at the Museum of Surrey on Thursday, Feb. 1. Likewise, the elementary art exhibition has an opening reception on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Surrey Art Gallery.

The elementary art exhibition runs from Saturday, Feb. 3, to Sunday, April 21 at the Surrey Art Gallery, 13570 88 Ave.

The secondary visual art exhibition from Tuesday, Jan. 30, to Friday, Feb. 9. at the Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Ave.

For more information, visit the websites for the Surrey Art Gallery and the Museum of Surrey.