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Operated by the Calgary Contemporary Arts Society May 6 – May 19, 2010 |
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Out of the Blue 23rd Annual Exhibition of Children’s Art
This is the 23rd Year the North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres have presented an exhibition comprised of children’s art. The show has previously been held at various locations: the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Atrium, Gulf Gallery and the Devonian Garden Gallery. In 1995, the Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts was selected as the official host for the children’s art exhibit. Since then, the Triangle Gallery has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to become a vital stimulant to various inter-community activities including the Calgary International Children’s Festival.
The Arts Centres, operated through the Department of Recreation of The City of Calgary, employ artists within our community to teach a variety of programs designed to stimulate, nurture, and develop children’s creativity. Acquiring proficiency in art requires learning how to see, interpret and make sense of peripheral stimuli. The education programs in visual arts provide children with the tools needed to create meaning and to express their thoughts and feelings in visual forms. Using a variety of materials and techniques, children gain knowledge in the practical use of traditional and contemporary tools, materials and media.
Join us in promoting and celebrating the artistic achievements produced by these junior creative intellects! Jacek Malec
“Adults who are looking for inspiration or energy, need only to come and sit amongst these artworks so they can get the creative juices flowing” – Brian Dorscht “It’s an idea storm” – Kipling West Out of the Blue, a blue Banana Phone and a rainbow Depressed Monkey appears. Out of the Blue, a child has Horses on the Brain, while another is Crumpled in Colour. These titles reflect the growing imaginations of the young artists who made these fantastic and expressive works. Out of the Blue
Kipling West and Brian Dorscht List of Images (left to right, top to bottom):
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A Celebration of Children's Art
The art works in this exhibition were created by children (ages 3 to 17) enrolled in art programs this past year at both Arts Centres. 
There are refreshing and distinctive qualities found in the art produced by children. Spontaneity, purity, unencumbered expression, and a lack of cynicism – qualities adult artists often struggle to attain – are just a few of the characteristics inherent in the art of children. These works have the power to move us in unexpected ways and take us back to a time in our life where everything was good and promising. 
Examined in the broader scope, an art exhibition of this kind provides an excellent opportunity to create a bond between the arts community and the community at large. In addition, it allows children to connect with, and feel a sense of belonging to their community. Given that art is intrinsically connected to the culture from which it originates, the art created by these children not only give us insight into their own personal psyche, but also demonstrate how societal values have changed over time. 
Jurors’ Statement
is a showcase of children’s art created at North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres and hosted by the Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts. Artwork in various media were made by children aged 3 through 17, and reflect the arts education opportunities offered at the Arts Centres over the past year.
The children have obviously learned a great deal about art; from its history to specific techniques, but what we were most drawn to was each child’s individuality expressed in their art. We loved seeing that they listened to and trusted their own ideas. In our minds, it was next to impossible not to animate the boldly coloured characters and get lost in the drama that each piece suggested.
We expect to hear joyous, thunderous laughter shaking these gallery walls, but invite you as well to contemplate the confidence and uniqueness of some of the quieter work. As we selected work for the show, we debated whether, as adults, we read too much into the art making or, if children are wiser than we give them credit for. We also determined that we have no good explanation as to why we saw so many humorous chickens. What do you think?