Parents and teens alike turned out in force for the annual Fine Arts night at Elphinstone Secondary School in Gibsons on June 3. While the Acting 11/12 students were warming up in the wings to present their play, SPAR, viewers browsed the students' paintings, pottery, photography, video and fabric arts.
A black jacket and red tie embellished with a collection of pogs from Alan Stewart was a big hit with the kids who resisted trying on the wearable art. Aztec art interpreted by Vanessa Baron featured a colourful sense of the aesthetic. The edgier work was exhibited by Grade 12 student Kevin Todd. In addition to his sketches, one of which depicted a boy with a literally bleeding and broken heart, he also dominated the larger artwork of the show with a giant jigsaw puzzle wall-hanging in which a shadowy figure bleeds behind a quote: "Fear, if allowed free rein, would reduce all of us to trembling shadows"
Other works lured the viewer into the sometimes-tortured world of teenagers. Dayna Scodras showed a strong piece in which a musician, depicted in black, white and red, is almost hidden behind his giant guitar. Izora Goodwin revealed her fantasy world in sunset colours, drawn entirely from her imagination. There was some fine photography, particularly from the digital display of Nick Garrels. The portraits of Teresa Christiansen had an informal, snapshot feel to them, yet were impeccable in their composition. "In Grade 9 they try a variety of mediums, then see what they would like to continue with," said teacher Rob Steeves.
The ceramic work of the Grade 9s was impressive. Sam Lyons' head of a lion and Quinn Searle's copper-toned bust were on display along with another bust from James Sundquist in which a perpetually surprised boy in a baseball cap sits next to an impossibly green-eyed beauty by Phaedra M. In the courtyard, the Elphi concert band, under the direction of Janice Brunson, performed several challenging pieces and closed with a brief appearance from the stage band.
