A group of four budding artists are coming together to showcase their talents in the next exhibition at the Art Room Gallery.
The show, Making It, features work by student artists Kenzie Dyck, Jesse Klassen, Sinéad Julia Penner, and Alexis Safronick.
The four were chosen after applying to a call for entry that was put out by the Chilliwack Community Arts Council aimed at high school and post-secondary students.
The mix of styles from the four young artists ranges from photography to painting to drawings. Black-and-white film photographs will hang alongside charcoal drawings and colourful acrylics. Upwards of 40 pieces will be on display.
Kenzie Dyck, a Grade 12 Sardis secondary student, is the youngest of the group at 17 years old.
She draws “semi-realistic, stylized drawings and illustrations.” She uses pencil crayons, markers, pencil, and charcoal, plus she does a bit of digital work using Photoshop.
“I draw a lot of characters too,” she says.
UFV student, 22-year-old Jesse Klassen, will have two different types of artwork in the show, painting and photography.
“I work in black-and-white film photography. I like to create some form of landscapes, whether it’s with a human or just landscape, and I like to create a sense of history in the photo,” says Klassen. “My paintings are acrylic, and a combination between abstract and realism.”
Sinéad Penner is in her second year at Emily Carr majoring in illustration. The 20-year-old grew up in Chilliwack and graduated from Sardis in 2013.
“I would describe my style as retro and whimsical. I like to mix acrylic and watercolour to create images that transport the viewer from their present reality into a realm full of vivid colour and imagination,” she says. “I see the world through a magical lens full of playful optimism and portraying that is a central focus of my work.”
Twenty-year-old Chilliwack artist Alexis Safronick is in between schools. She describes her acrylic paintings as “very abstract and colourful”, and also her artwork is inspired by music.
“The feeling I get from the music and lyrics makes me want to create,” she says.
It’ll be the first time Safronick and Dyck will be taking part in an art exhibition. They’re both looking forward to opening night on Sept. 30.
“I’m really excited to see all the other artwork,” says Dyck. “It’ll be a good experience and I definitely want to keep doing it.”
“I’m very excited to talk art with other people and experience the environment. I think it’ll be very cool,” says Safronick.
Making It will be Klassen’s fifth show. His work was featured previously in a university show at the Keriton Art Gallery in Abbotsford, a photo exhibition at UFV, plus two other smaller shows.
“I’m really excited about the show. The chance to put work on display for people to see is always a rewarding experience, be that through the conversations that take place or through the elusive sale of a piece,” he says. “It’s a wonderful thing being able to talk art with people.”
Penner had one piece of her artwork displayed in the Foundation Show at Emily Carr last spring. This exhibit will feature five of her pieces.
“I am definitely excited and thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of this show,” says Penner.
“In my opinion, art is made to be seen. It’s meant to be freely released into the world, telling a multitude of stories to a multitude of people, touching each individual in a unique way,” she adds.
Making It opens today (Sept. 21) and runs until Oct. 27 in The Art Room Gallery (20-5725 Vedder Rd.). The opening reception and artists meet and greet will be on Friday, Sept. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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