Gallery in the Grove has opened its fast forward high school exhibition, showcasing student artwork from across the region and honouring standout pieces with jurors’ awards.
Opening to a packed house on Saturday, May 2, the showcase features a diverse collection of works from senior secondary students across the county, alongside pieces from the Visiting Artists in Lambton Schools (VALS) program. The exhibition, which highlights the creative pulse of North Lambton Secondary, Northern Collegiate (NCIVS), and St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, will remain open to the public through May 30.
“The depth of artistic talent throughout Lambton County is truly remarkable,” noted gallery organizers, who credited local art teachers for their guidance in preparing the students for the professional gallery setting.
This year’s secondary school submissions were evaluated by jurors Dave Moore and John Iacobelli, who noted the "exceptional calibre" of work spanning painting, sculpture, digital art, and more.
Taking home the prestigious Juror’s Awards—which included monetary prizes backed by the I.O.D.E. Hon. Malcolm Cameron Chapter and a private donor—were Will Wettges (NCIVS) for Stardust and Subtext, Amberlynn Johnston (St. Pat’s) for A Look into My Soul, and Abigail Wighton (St. Pat’s) for Siren.
Other senior category winners included:
Painting: Valerie Brown (NCIVS) – Mont St. Michel
Drawing: Haruna Oka (NCIVS) – On the Horizon
Printmaking: Allyssa Wilson (St. Pat’s) – Cicada
Digital: Leo Giresi (St. Pat’s) – Daisy
Mixed Media: Kara Papple (NCIVS) – In the News
Design: Hannah Kim (NCIVS) – Power = Responsibility
Sculpture/3D: Ally Chartrand (St. Pat’s) – Conscious in Silence
Beyond the high school ranks, the gallery is also celebrating the success of the VALS program. This year, approximately 625 Grade 6 students from 28 classrooms worked with professional artists Susan Perry, Dave Moore, and John Williams.
The program, supported by the Catherine Wilson Foundation, allows younger students to work with high-quality professional materials. One participating teacher remarked that the initiative allowed students to explore "new artistic possibilities" beyond standard classroom supplies.
IF YOU GO:
Where: Gallery in the Grove, 2618 Hamilton Road, Bright’s Grove.
When: Now through May 30.
Hours: Mon.–Thurs. 2–5 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Online: galleryinthegrove.com
