KELOWNA, B.C. – Abby Thompson says her teachers have encouraged, pushed and pressured her to continue practicing her art skills.
The grade 12 student from Kelowna Senior Secondary says it has paid off too.
This is Thompson’s third year being displayed as part of the Central Okanagan School District entries in the Art in Action exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
The teen’s contribution is a sketch of her mother lifting weights. It’s a glimpse at the hard work her mother has put into qualify for an upcoming competition.
Thompson was inspired.
The displayed sketch, one of 163 in the exhibit, made her mother emotional.
“I’m pretty impressed,” said Angela Thompson during the exhibit’s opening reception Thursday evening. “I’m trying not to cry.”
While parents were moved to see their children’s artwork displayed outside their homes, one teacher who has been involved in the exhibit for more than two decades, said he was also impressed.
“The work just gets better each year,” said Jim Elwood, visual arts instructor at Mt. Boucherie Secondary in West Kelowna. “When I first started, you see a lot of cliches in student work. I’m seeing less and less of that every year.”
Art in Action: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary is on display at the front of the Kelowna Art Gallery on Water Street until June 12. Viewing the exhibit is free of charge.
This is the event’s 30th year.