All you have to do is pull up a stool in the Two Rivers Art Gallery atrium to be reminded that Art Won't Take a Back Seat.
A total of 65 students turned unadorned stools into works of art at the gallery with support from the school district and the city.
The stools will be on display as part of the Young Associate exhibit held at the gallery in May.
"Carolyn [Holmes, public programs manager] thought it would be really great for the Young Associates and senior high school students to leave a legacy as part of their art show," said Anna-Maria Lawrie, Two Rivers programmer and project co-ordinator.
"Each year we have a group of dedicated teens who meet on a weekly basis from October to May to plan the show and set its parameters."
The artistic challenge is sent to senior secondary students throughout School District 57 and the results are exhibited May 6 to 29, with opening reception on May 5.
The Two Rivers wanted something permanent at the gallery that was specifically created through the Young Associates as each year the artwork is taken back by the students who created it, added Lawrie.
"Every year we hold the show, have some really fabulous artwork come through and then all we have left is the photos we have taken," she said.
So this year art was made on the stools.
The theme for the artwork is Canadian art and more specifically what Canadian art means to the artist. The students could also take inspiration from a well-known Canadian artist either through adopting their style or re-representing the artist's work, being sure to give credit to the original artist.
"There was a wide range of possibilities," said Lawrie.
A lot of credit has to go to the Young Associates who have put so much work into the project, she added about the group of ten teens.
"The purpose of this project is to transform a public space that encourages creativity into one that embodies creativity, and to do so by involving the creative spirit of our community - its youth," said Lawrie. "The young artists will have an opportunity to share their creativity with the community in a public gallery. Their families, teachers and peers will share their sense of pride."
The opening reception takes place May 5 at 7:30 p.m. and there will be an artist's talk led by project coordinator Anna-Marie Lawrie with students to follow. There will be refreshments. The event is free to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.
