Stant says while doing this program the youth were given the freedom to become more independent when figuring out what they wanted to work on or learn. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

Local youth artists will showcase their work this week after a semester of trying new art styles, learning from professional artists, and stepping out of their comfort zone.

The youth are a part of the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s CØD3: Youth Art Collective, a program made up of youth ages 15 to 19 who meet weekly to develop new artistic skills. The program is led by the gallery’s Learning & Engagement Coordinator Yvonne Vander Kooi.

The program is run twice a year with a fall semester and a winter semester. Youth get the opportunity to experiment with various media including video, photography, painting, collage, digital art and performance, while also participating in conversations and action around contemporary art.

The gallery also offers the Dazzle Camouflage program for youth that runs for three weeks this summer from August 13 to 30.

Now the youth are showcasing what they have learned over the last three months in their exhibit titled Shared Reveries. The exhibit will showcase a variety of work including large format paintings, stop motion animation, mixed media collaborative artworks, sculptural ceramic works, printmaking, and drawings.

CHLY got to speak with some of the youths at the last meeting before their exhibition opened. The youths were busy putting the final touches on their paintings and planning the exhibit.

The youths said the program has allowed them to learn a lot about art and their own artistic styles throughout the semester.

Soul Neidrauer pointed out one project the group did where they would each take turns drawing something then pass the drawing to the person beside them and have that person continue adding to the drawing. That drawing would then be passed around the group and everyone would add something to it.

Neidrauer said that the project helped them learn how to let go of the control they have when it comes to their artwork.

“I'm not gonna lie, it's definitely kind of a little stressful letting other people draw on your piece. I know with mine, I had a specific idea in mind and it very much so went in a different direction,” Neidrauer said. “But no, just letting go of your own artistic ego and letting loose of control little bit, it can form some unexpected things.”

Miah Smith said during the program they were also able to learn to let go of control of their artwork. Smith, said they joined the program for the first time this semester to explore their art more and is looking into going to school for art and becoming a tattoo artist.

“But I feel that I've learned a lot of letting go have control of my art, because I'm very much a perfectionist with everything–especially my art,” Smith said.

Whisper Stant said one thing they learned from the program was how to not take critiques personally and how to work collaboratively.

Neidrauer said reaching out for feedback and critiques is a big part of creating art.

Some of the visiting artists for this semester were Azadeh Elmizadeh and Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo who both had their artwork showcased at the Nanaimo Art Gallery during the semester. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

“I feel like nowadays with internet access, a lot of people who do art usually will post it in some sort of way, or have friends who do art as well,” Neidrauer said. “We often give each other criticisms or tips and ways to improve.”

Smith said the times during the program when the group gave each other feedback were very helpful when they were stuck.

“We have actually like sit down and we looked at our canvases individually and sat around and just kind of critiqued everything that what we liked, what we don't like, what we think could be like contrasted or just changed,” Smith said. “But all in all, it was just suggestions for the piece and something that you might want to take in case it was good, or there was something missing that you couldn't think of, and it could just kind of help you form the art piece for the better or giving you a bit like ideas.”

Tegan MacLean said they have been able to improve their artwork from the feedback they have received.

“The outsider perspective is really helpful to have because sometimes you get given ideas you never would have thought of and it just improves everything,” Tegan said. “I've done some things that I never would have thought of myself never would have done without like, being told it was a good idea.”

Tegan who has done this program several times now with their sibling Fay MacLean, said it is super cool to learn from visiting professional artists and get feedback from them.

Some of the visiting artists for this semester were Azadeh Elmizadeh and Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo who both had their artwork showcased at the Nanaimo Art Gallery during the semester.

Stant said they enjoyed the program which allowed them to try new styles of artwork they had not been able to try before.

“I really enjoyed working with different mediums and stuff that maybe I couldn't have afforded or thought to work with and got to figure out what stuff that I maybe would have liked that didn't think that I would have liked,” Stant said.

Stant said with help from the instructor Yvonne, they have been able to learn to come out of their comfort zone.

“I think Yvonne is really great at getting kids to come out of their comfort zone and finding a way to express themselves even in a small way to learn how to be proud of art that maybe they didn't think that like others might appreciate,” Stant said. “She's just really good at helping kids understand themselves and what they want to do with their art.”

Neidrauer agrees that the program allows them to meet like-minded youth artists who support each other, and help each other come out of their shells.

“Because I know that can be difficult. Sometimes a lot of artists tend to be quiet. More we express ourselves through our art rather than very outwardly to other people,” Neidrauer said. “So it's a great place to create connections and create art.”

Fay said they get inspiration from the other youths being able to watch them, and then try it out for themselves.

“I really liked looking at, like, the techniques that others were using and just being like, oh, I can do that,” Fay said.

Stant said while doing this program the youth were given the freedom to become more independent when figuring out what they wanted to work on or learn.

Fay said they get inspiration from the other youths being able to watch them, and then try it out for themselves. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

“It's definitely really important for like kids to be able to make their own direction and especially in group settings I found that as it went on, we went out of our way to give each other critiques and stuff without Yvonne directing us and stuff,” Stant said. “I think it's kind of really helpful for youth to get a sense of being an individual making their own choices and helping each other work.”

For the exhibit preparation, Stant who is doing the program for the first, said it’s a little nerve-wracking getting everything together.

“Yeah, it's pretty cool. I feel kind of famous. It's kind of nerve-wracking though because I don't really know what anyone's gonna like, ask or anything like that,” Stant said.

Neidrauer, who has done the program before, said at times it still can be a bit daunting setting up your own exhibition.

“Setting up your own exhibit, having people you don't know, come in and see your art, especially if you're not someone who generally shows your art to other people [can be daunting],” Neidrauer said. “But once you do it and actually get through with it's not as hard as you think it would be. It's one of those things where the idea of it at first is very intimidating, but once you are doing it, you kind of realize it's not that bad, and can be rather enjoyable if you let yourself just de-stress.”

The CØD3: Youth Art Collective exhibit, Shared Reveries runs at the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s Art Larb on Friday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an opening reception on Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.