From Olympic gold medal worthy figure skating portraits to eye-popping pottery and paintings, the next generation of Pembina Valley artists is making a big impression at the Winkler Arts and Culture High School Art Show, with both NPC and GVC participating. The exhibit highlights the creativity of young artists from across the community, while also giving many students their first opportunity to see their work displayed publicly in a gallery setting. For Winkler Arts and Culture program coordinator Katie Bueckert, the event is about much more than simply hanging artwork on walls. “Seeing all the amazing artists and young creative minds is such an important aspect because these are the people that will be building our community in the future,” Bueckert said. “Just seeing everything that these young minds can come up with is gorgeous and so amazing.” A gallery full of surprises Walking through the exhibit, visitors can expect to see a little bit of everything. Some pieces are deeply personal, while others showcase technical skill that easily surprises people seeing the work for the first time. There are colourful abstract paintings, carefully detailed pencil drawings, pottery pieces, and mixed-media projects spread throughout the gallery space. Even Bueckert admits some of the work leaves her impressed. “I like to think that I am quite a good artist,” she joked. “But there is a lot here that is insane.” The annual showcase has become a tradition for WA+C and continues to serve as one of the organization's biggest opportunities to highlight young local talent. Every year, new students contribute fresh ideas and artistic styles, giving returning visitors something new to discover each spring. Students sharing what matters to them Among the featured artists is Grade 9 student Dylan Morgan, whose detailed drawing of American, gold medal winning, figure skater Alysa Liu quickly caught attention during the show setup. Morgan said the piece was inspired by a longtime connection to figure skating. “I used to figure skate when I was a kid and I’ve loved it since I was a kid,” Morgan explained. “I wanted to do something meaningful to me.” The drawing took roughly two weeks to complete, with Morgan spending extra time working on it outside of class to finish the details. While seeing personal artwork displayed publicly can feel intimidating, Morgan said the experience has still been rewarding. “It’s a little nerve-wracking,” Morgan admitted. “I didn’t really want to come at first, but my family wanted to support me and come out.” That support, however, helped make the experience worthwhile. “I think it’s really happy because it’s putting a bunch of students’ artwork out there,” Morgan added. “I think it’s important that people get to see that they’re trying and putting art out into the community.” More than just an art show Bueckert says the event also helps strengthen connections between students, teachers, families, and the broader community. Many students attend the opening alongside parents and relatives, while teachers often stop by to support and celebrate the accomplishments of their classes. “I’m hoping for some of the teachers to come, kind of be like, ‘These are my students,’ and brag about them a little bit,” Bueckert said. The exhibit not only gives students recognition for their hard work but also encourages young artists to continue exploring creative opportunities in the future. WA+C also hosts an annual member show throughout the year, which occasionally includes student artists who become members of the organization. An invitation to the community The High School Art Show runs from May 14th until June 6th at Winkler Arts and Culture, and organizers are encouraging community members to stop by, meet some of the artists, and experience the creativity on display firsthand. Whether visitors come for the paintings, pottery, portraits, or simply to support local students, the event promises plenty of talent to discover.