A vibrant display of student creativity is now open for viewing at the Kitimat Museum and Archives, where this year’s INSIGHTS exhibition from Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School features a striking mix of traditional and modern media.
The exhibition highlights the energy, emotion and experimentation that shape student creativity today. Paintings, pencil and crayon drawings, an oil pastel piece, embroidery, metal work using tinfoil and copper, coil pottery, small dioramas and a recording of a digital video game are among the featured works—all created by students.
“It really helps showcase the talent and versatility of these students, and how they're embracing both old and new art forms to help express themselves,” said Holly Peterson, Manager of Collections and Programming.
Rather than being organised by grade level or medium, the pieces are grouped by the creative themes students worked on throughout the year. This format offers visitors a thoughtful and cohesive journey through the students’ varied artistic responses.
The Mount Elizabeth art programme includes students from Grades 9 through 12 who work in a shared classroom setting. Guided by three teachers, students engage with a wide range of materials and techniques while developing their own approaches to visual expression.
INSIGHTS also reflects a longstanding partnership between the museum and Mount Elizabeth School, now spanning more than 40 years. Some of the students featured this year may have relatives—parents, aunts or uncles—who exhibited artwork in earlier decades.
“I think that's something for us to be proud of—that we've been able to serve in the community in this way for so long—and grateful for—that we live in a community with so much talent,” Peterson said.
The exhibition was curated by Mount Elizabeth art teacher Katherine Johnsen, who has played a central role in the show’s success for many years. In addition to selecting and organizing the student work, she worked closely with museum staff on the physical installation of the exhibit. Peterson said Johnsen’s long-time involvement has been key to shaping INSIGHTS into the polished and thoughtful exhibition it is today.
INSIGHTS runs from May 16 to June 14 at the Kitimat Museum and Archives.
