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The sombre halls of Mount Baker Secondary School were transformed into a glittering vernissage Wednesday evening, as more than 500 visitors crowded into the school to take in “Wild About The Arts,” an event showcasing the full extent and power of MBSS student art.
More than 250 pieces of art were on display — including pieces by the painting, video, drawing, metalwork and woodworking students. Sculptures stood proudly in the hallway and hung from the ceiling. There were displays of video, music and even robotics, while performances pieces, so-called “Living Art,” riffed on famous paintings like Munsch’s “The Scream” and Leonard Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”
MBSS Food Services program students prepared the canapés and punch, and served them with help from the Sam Steele Sweethearts candidates. And the Wild About Hair program was also represented — bold, progressive, futuristic hairstyles were on prominent display among the throng. Altogether, 300 students took part in the event.
A room set aside for a silent auction on various artworks saw considerable action throughout the evening, and gala-goers also had the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Awards. Alyssa Watmough, Seth Stevenson and Laura Paterson were the People’s Choice winners, and their pieces will now be entered into the Rotary Club’s Wine Tasting and Art Auction, taking place Friday evening.
The event was intended as a fundraiser — for an arts centre for youth, which will be part of the proposed Neighbourhood of Learning, a dynamic new community education and services facility, anchored by a new high school, which would replace the old high school.
Kathy Klein, one of the event’s organizers, said “Wild About Arts” raised well over $3,000 for the proposed centre. And given that the Olympic hockey match was being televised at the same time, Klein said she was amazed at the strength of the turnout from the public. She added that there are definitely plans to make “Wild About The Arts” an annual event.
In an earlier interview, MBSS Principal Debra Empson said that as well as a fundraiser, the event was designed to showcase the depth of artistic talent in the student community, and to underscore the student contribution to the cultural life of Cranbrook. That point was certainly made loud and clear Wednesday night.
