MEDIA RELEASE
September 27, 2023
The Gordon Smith Gallery and Artists for Kids (AFK) opened their fall exhibition, The Art of Conversation, on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
The exhibition features artwork by over 20 Canadian artists who explore the role of art as a platform for communication. The Art of Conversation draws conventional threads between the works in the gallery and highlights arts’ potential to facilitate and provoke dialogue. The perspectives and artistic conversations of elementary and secondary school students will be featured through original writing and art.
“In the exhibit, you will see and read student voice featured through the written and artistic responses to works in the exhibition,” said Allison Kerr, District Principal of Arts Education and Director, Artists for Kids. “The intentional act to draw conversational threads between the works in the gallery highlight the potential to facilitate and provoke dialogue, to share about ourselves and to learn about each other.”
The Art of Conversation runs from September 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024, at the Gordon Smith Gallery.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
About Artists for Kids (AFK)
Artist for Kids is a unique, self-sustaining art education venture supported by the North Vancouver School District. In partnership with more than 50 of Canada's most prominent artists, Artists for Kids brings together educators and the community at large, to provide inspiring, relevant educational enrichment for thousands of young people annually, encouraging students to pursue and share their own artistic voice and narrative.
Through the Gordon Smith Gallery, which opened its doors in 2012, Artists for Kids has created a space for young audiences and the community to experience the narrative of Canadian Art through significant exhibitions of visual art.
Artists for Kids original prints are published in partnership with Canadian artists to support children and youth, their art education and their future. For more information on Artists for Kids and its Print Program, please visit the Artists for Kids website.
About the North Vancouver School District
The North Vancouver School District provides world-class instruction and a rich diversity of engaging programs to inspire success for every student and bring communities together to learn, share and grow. Through 25 elementary schools, 7 secondary schools and one online school, the school district offers over 16,000 students, their parents and caregivers, and more than 2,600 staff, a welcoming, safe and inclusive teaching and learning environment, and a strong sense of community and belonging. Visit the North Vancouver School District website to learn more.
About Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and supports its presence across Canada and around the world. The Council is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations. This support allows them to pursue artistic expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts and literature. Through its arts funding, communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) program makes annual payments to creators whose works are held in Canadian public libraries. The Council’s Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts through exhibition and outreach activities. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a future of peace, reconciliation, equity, and sustainable development.
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Contact
Lisa Dalla Vecchia
Communications Manager
North Vancouver School District
604.903.1254
