Bishop - Student art showcased in annual show

This piece by Bishop High School student Sonie Smiley is just one of the many works available for viewing at the Inyo Council for the Arts Student Art Show. Photo by Mike Gervais

3-20-2008

Every piece of art tells a story, evokes a response and has the potential to inspire, whether it’s the sprawling oil of a Renaissance masterpainter or the soft watercolor of a young child learning to express himself.

Young artistic expression can currently be found on healthy display at the Inyo Council for the Arts as part of the ICA’s annual Student Art Show, featuring the wide-ranging works of youth from all over Inyo County.
The show runs through Friday, April 11 and offers for the curious, dozens of paintings, sculptures, photographs and more created by the next generation of visionaries.
The Student Art Show gives local kids the opportunity to enjoy a little spotlight and see their works hanging in a real art gallery.

Visitors admire the artwork of local youth during a reception Saturday at Inyo Council for the Arts. The artwork will be on display at the ICA gallery through April 11 as part of ICA’s annual Student Art Show. Photo by Mike Gervais

“Besides at the school, I’m not aware of another place for the students to show their work,” said ICA Assistant Program Coordinator Cathy Cannon.
According to Cannon, that’s one reason the show is always so well attended.
“We get a lot of the students who love to bring their friends and family – they love to see their stuff in a gallery,” said Cannon.
Of course, the students get more than just the benefit of seeing their work in a gallery alongside the creations of older, more experienced artists: some of the kids – if they so desire –can put their works up for sale and see what kind of price they can fetch from their creative labor.
Members of the public were able to put faces to the artists’ names last Saturday during a special reception that featured live entertainment and hors d’houvres.
According to Cannon, throughout the five years that ICA has been hosting the Student Art Show, it has gained quite a following among local artists and residents who have had the opportunity to watch many of the participants return to the show each year and grow in their craft.
To organize the exhibit, staff at the ICA contacts art teachers from each of Inyo County’s schools, from elementary through high school.
The teachers then select a group of students, who in turn choose their best works to be sent to the ICA for the show.
One teacher from Pine Street Elementary School had fourth and fifth grade students create surreal work in the vein of Marc Chagall, first touching upon emotions important to them for their individual themes and then emphasizing the use of vivid color to create a dreamlike effect.
The entire show “is a representation of the students’ artwork throughout the county,” Cannon said.
Many students have been participating in the Student Art Show since its inception, and, of course, every year there is also new talent on display.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of students and not enough wall space,” said Cannon.
The Inyo Council for the Arts is located at 137 S. Main St., Bishop, and can be reached at 873-8014.