The Ponoka Jubilee Library is hosting a multi-school art exhibition featuring artworks from local elementary schools that will open on March 19.
“The library acts as a community hub for Ponoka, not just offering library services, but also a place to gather and celebrate different aspects of Ponoka,” said library manager Dan Galway.
“This includes hosting art exhibits that spotlight local talent. We wanted to start including young people to encourage the development of our artistic community.”
Currently, the four participating schools are Ponoka Elementary School, Mecca Glen School, St. Augustine School’s elementary grades and Ponoka Christian School.
The exhibition is the first of a new series called “Artful Expressions” and the theme of this exhibition is “Spring Joy.”
Schools are invited to choose student art and all pieces are accepted. The show will not be judged and prizes are not being awarded.
There will be 60 to 80 art works in the exhibition, showcasing talent from students in Grades K-7.
All of the art is 2D (wall-hanging art) and will include mediums of paint, crayon, pen, charcoal, and mosaic paper.
On Saturday, March 19, the library will host an exhibition opening from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is open to the public, as well the artists, their families and the school communities. Cake will be served.
The exhibit and the opening are free to the public.
The event is not a fundraiser for the library, but an opportunity to celebrate young, local artists and to have their art displayed in a gallery setting.
The goals of this exhibition are to:
- Encourage children to focus on themselves and express themselves through visual art using the theme “Spring Joy.”
- Connect schools in the Ponoka area with the community through the exhibiting of their art in a free-entry gallery space.
- Encourage children to be confident in their art skills as they see their art in a public gallery setting.
- Demonstrate to children that art and being artistic is valued.
The exhibition will run from March 19 to May 23, in the lobby and library at the Ponoka Civic Centre.
The public can come in to view the exhibition during library open hours, Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 8 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m.
The library is not only doing the “Artful Expressions” exhibition this spring, but currently has another art exhibit displayed in their teen section made up of contributions from local high school students. Art in the teen section changes every two months.