The first-ever Youth Project Fair at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons — which concludes this Friday — provides the public with opportunities to learn from young scholars across the Sunshine Coast. The showcase of research projects (whose topics range from piñatas to dinosaurs) was the brainchild of parent Linda Mitchell. After witnessing her daughters Micki and Coco prepare projects for School District 46’s SPIDER learning program, she recognized that such initiatives merit a more prominent platform.
“I hope it gives [youths] a sense of pride, of accomplishment,” Mitchell said. “By exploring or doing research and expressing aspects of creativity, it leads to a boost in self-esteem and confidence. Having a public space to display them is just fantastic and just adds to that.”
Sunnycrest Mall donated prizes, which will be awarded to qualifying participants across a variety of categories, including Science in Action and Visual Vibes. Passers-by are encouraged to view the projects and cast a vote, which will be tallied in advance of a ceremony on May 9 at 3:30 p.m.
“My advice to other students is not to give up just because something doesn’t work,” said 12-year-old digital artist Sapphira Coote. Coote’s illustrations of cats and dragons are crafted on a computer tablet without the aid of digital pens or other tools. “Practice definitely makes better — not necessarily perfect — but it makes improvement.”
Six-year-old researcher Micki Mitchell (“Exploring Crystals”) was surprised to learn about the link between some minerals and meteors. “It feels good to share my project because I’m showing it to the world,” said Mitchell, who is also a devoted fan of the Minecraft computer game (which itself entails digging for virtual gemstones).
Micki’s sister, nine-year-old Coco, shared research into capybaras originally displayed as part of the SPIDER science fair in Roberts Creek last month. The world’s largest living rodents became a subject of fascination for Mitchell. “I chose to study capybaras because they’re adorable,” she explained. “I hope people come and ask me questions about what they eat.”
Organizers of the Youth Project Fair plan to repeat the event on an annual basis. Projects are on display during regular mall hours until Friday at noon.
Conflagrations and zombies
Meanwhile, at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt, a display of young artists’ work remains on display until May 17. Contributors aged 5 to 18 supplied creations in an array of mediums, including a dramatic acrylic-and-oil painting by Aloha Shinakai: Blue Hour depicts a snow-covered house engulfed in flames against an inky sky.
Two of the gallery’s teenaged part-time staffers are among the exhibiting artists: London Allcock’s Olivia Rose is a pensive portrait in pastels; Keith Manitobenis’s ZOMBIE is a gouache work depicting a green-faced member of the undead suffering from a prolapsed cerebellum.
Several contributors displayed dramatic range across multiple works: Brooke Olsen explored dystopian nationalism in her watercolour Welcome to Canada; her other submission is study of everyday ephemera in a state of utter exhaustion (an apple core, a depleted teabag, a creased pillowcase).
Tournament for drag royalty
Two members of the Sunshine Coast’s resident Pine ‘N’ Sandy drag ensemble competed in the inaugural King-Dom drag competition held at Vancouver’s Birdhouse venue last week.
“When people think drag, they think drag queens or whatever,” said local drag artist Davis Gay, who participated in the competition alongside Pine ‘N’ Sandy collaborator Manly Nipkiss. A dozen drag kings performed in front of a four-member judging panel that included Kendall Gender — a veteran of Canada’s Drag Race. “Kings are often left out of the mainstream. So it was really cool to be in this room full of all these drag kings, and seeing a huge variety of what people are putting out there.”
Kings were required to learn 10 different songs in anticipation of a lip sync battle against other performers. Another round evaluated their ability to quickly change into different outfits. Social media skills were also put to the test — Davis Gay created a video in which he conducted a therapy session with himself (Davis Gay’s alter ego is a professional therapist).
Davis Gay tailored original apparel to portray the Greek god Priapus, an outrageously tumescent fertility deity.
“The Sunshine Coast has a good reputation amongst the drag community,” added Davis Gay. “People are excited about what we do and are kind of surprised that the calibre of drag coming from the Coast is competing with some of the Vancouver darlings.”
The Pine ‘N’ Sandy troupe will perform during the upcoming Sunshine Coast Pride Festival on June 1; Davis Gay is slated to co-host the event alongside fellow performer Candi Strutts.
Prepare for summer drama
The Driftwood Players are offering a free drama workshop on May 17 to recruit actors and volunteers for their Story Theatre Summer Troupe. The troupe performs skits and plays at festivals across the Sunshine Coast.
“No experience necessary,” said artistic director Linda McTurk. “Story Theatre welcomes everyone — whether you’re a seasoned or novice actor or just looking to lend a hand backstage — who wants to experience and share the magic of live theatre.”
The actor’s workshop runs on Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay. Actor and local drama instructor Gabriel Ditmars will lead participants through an afternoon of theatre exercises.
Rehearsals run most Saturdays from May through June. Six performances are scheduled at festivals across the Sunshine Coast in July and August.
No registration is required for the workshop. Additional details are available at driftwoodplayers.ca, by calling Johanna Rzepa at 604 886-3157, or by emailing [email protected].
