The Vault to host art show with local students

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

The Vault Cultural Collective is hosting an art show, beginning at the end of the month to showcase projects created by students at local high schools. 

Carolyn Steeves, chair of The Vault, said the upcoming event is the first time the organization has reached out to the schools with such an idea since opening their doors in July 2021.

“COVID-19 and pandemic protocols, we were thinking of things that we could do in the community that would be safe,” said Steeves.

“We’re thinking of pocket concerts and speaker series and that kind of thing, but we thought that a high school art show would be a perfect thing to have in The Vault.”

The idea is for the show to celebrate the young artists at Strathmore High School and Holy Cross Collegiate, in a safe and engaging event.

Steeves said she contacted the two schools in December of 2021 with the idea and has been working to arrange the event ever since. 

She estimates between 30 to 40 pieces of art will be on display in The Vault, submitted by roughly 10 students from each school. The display will consist of acrylic paintings, watercolours, pencil drawings, digital art, mixed media, clay and pottery.

“From my understanding and talking to the teachers … (these) are projects that they worked on for in class assignments,” added Steeves.

“The students are very excited (about the show) and I know they’re very excited about having a launch event of Saturday, even though it’s private and just with families and teachers.”

Going forward, The Vault intends to have art events of varying sorts, from hosting artists in residence, to artist of the day, to even small concerts at the venue. 

Steeves explained the mandate is to be a “one-stop-shop” for local arts and culture to be expressed, admired and appreciated.

Steeves added that for the young artists at the two local high schools, it’s a unique and important experience to have their hard work on display for the community. 

“I think for young artists, this is critical because they don’t get art shows. I think sometimes there are artists who have been asked to put some of their art in an ACAD (Alberta College of Art and Design) show in Calgary, (or) in their schools, but to have their art on public display in the community is huge,” said Steeves.

“Even though they might be anxious of people’s reactions, everyone is always nervous about what people are going to think. But this is more of a celebration of what’s happening in our schools and in our community.”

The display will be hosted within The Vault and is free to view between Jan. 31 to Feb. 25.