Young artists at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge put their best work on display last week in the school’s third annual arts showcase.
On Tuesday evening, the school’s library was transformed into a gallery, its book shelves hung with about 100 pieces of art created by the students of all grades. There were water colour and acrylic paintings, pastel drawings, pencil sketches, prints, and even sculptures and installation art.
The public showcase was organized by art teacher Sébastien Beaudoin. He teaches the mandatory art class that introduces students to basic techniques across various media, as well as various elective art classes that offer students more flexibility in how they express themselves.
“I give them themes and they try to explore the themes in their own way, and explore the material they want to use. So I don’t impose. They choose what they really want to do. It permits them to explore, and I’m just there to guide them and teach them techniques,” Beaudoin said.
He said some students are shy to show what they’ve been working on, many choosing to submit their pieces anonymously.
“But once their artwork is out there, and they see their artwork exposed, it changes everything for them,” he said.
Kicking off the evening were several performances from students in the school’s dance program, taught by Natacha Corriveau.
Among them was an emotional routine from duo Rebecca Hearty and Phoenix Bérubé.
Hearty said they had been practicing this piece for months, and first performed it at the school’s Secondaire en Spectacle talent competition in February.
She said she doesn’t usually get nervous for performances, but that performing in the library, mere feet from the audience, was different.
“When it’s this close and everyone is just there
looking at you and you can see all their faces, yeah, I was nervous,” she said.
“But I know our dances made an impact on people, so I’m happy to show everyone. [ . . . ] When I’m dancing I feel like a different person, like I can be myself and I’m able to show everyone what I’m able to do.”
After the dance performances had concluded, visitors were invited to tour the artworks and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the school at some point this week.
Beaudoin emphasized that the certificate given to the winner of this prize is useful if ever they decide to pursue an arts education outside of high school, when they’ll need to put together a portfolio.
“For a student to receive this prize, it’s not just a piece of paper, it means a lot.”
