Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY) is celebrating the talent of Highview Public School and the emerging artists of AFCY with their Flower and Friends event and gallery show. The opening reception was held at Vesuvia Pizzeria and Spaghetti House on Saturday December 7th introducing the community to the extraordinary work of these amazing, young artists.
Large-scale pieces were painted on wood and displayed throughout the restaurant. They were created by children ranging from junior kindergarten to grade five. All of them were participants in an AFCY educational arts program that runs in several communities throughout Toronto. Every piece of art created by these Highview students was inspired by their surroundings and influenced by nature, including flowers from Vaughan, caterpillars and butterflies. They wanted to emphasize multi-level ecosystems that totally depend on each other to function. Throughout this project, the young artist’s main theme was “respecting and nurturing Mother Nature.” The artwork they produced was a collaborative project in which all of the young students painted different parts, with an end result of one big, beautiful image. Each individual illustration was so alive with colour! This interestingly shaped piece will eventually become part of a mural that will be installed at Highview Public School.
As well as an opportunity to view the Highview students’ artistic creations, guests also had a chance to join Vesuvia Pizzeria and Spaghetti House in support AFCY. For a one dollar donation attendees received a cup of delicious, hot, homemade soup from the Vesuvia kitchen- great to have on a freezing cold day! The event also featured the work of Tara Dorey and Jazz Gareau, two young emerging artists at AFCY. Tara Dorey, a graduate of OCAD University , enjoys working in the arts and has found many outlets to express her different types of art in the past. This event displayed a few of her beautiful sketches. Tara has been involved with AFCY as an artist and really enjoyed helping out with this particular project at Highview Public School. Jazz Gareau is a fourth year student majoring in International Relations and Visual Arts, at York University. Her work has been exhibited in several shows throughout Toronto, including Nuit Blanche. Jazz also studied sculpture this past summer in the UK . It was so inspiring to see these two dedicated, talented artists involved in AFCY’s programs and reaching out and mentoring the young artists.
This art will be on display at Vesuvia Pizzeria and Spaghetti House in the Junction until January 6th, 2013. Come out and show your support to a fantastic community of artists.
