Youth Artists Limelight Showcases Student Work Beyond Campus

Each spring, the Saanich Arts Centre opens its doors to secondary school students from across Greater Victoria for the Youth Artists Limelight exhibition, and St. Michaels University School has been part of it since the program began in 2013.

This year's exhibition runs May 27–June 21 at the Main Gallery, Café Gallery and Cubes at the Saanich Arts Centre, featuring multi-media work from students at Glenlyon Norfolk School, Spectrum Community School, Victoria High School, Esquimalt High School, the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry, and SMUS. An opening reception was held on May 29.

"We are so grateful that Saanich Parks and Recreation has continued this tradition over the years," said Chris Bateman '94, Head of Visual Art. "It is important for the community to see that the arts are alive and well in our schools, and that young people are engaged not only in creating beauty, but also in exploring meaningful ideas and important issues."

Bateman said the exhibition gives students a meaningful opportunity to share their work beyond campus while connecting with a broader audience.

"For our students, the opportunity to display their art beyond our campus is both exciting and meaningful," he said. "For us, the hardest part is choosing which pieces to include, as we have so many talented artists at the school."

Each year, a SMUS student designs the official poster used to promote the exhibition throughout the community. This year, that role was taken on by Grade 11 student L. Rogers '27. Visual Art teacher Tamara Rusnak '90 coordinated the school's participation in the exhibition.

For the students whose work was selected, the chance to show beyond campus carried real weight.

"I am very happy that my artwork is being displayed in the community show because it gives me the opportunity to share a beautiful landscape from my hometown," said Rieko Hara '28, whose watercolour painting of Mt. Fuji reflects her connection to Japanese culture. "Painting Mt. Fuji with watercolour paints allowed me to express my connection with Japanese culture, which is meaningful to me."

Sophie De Launiere '26, who attended the opening reception, found the experience both affirming and inspiring.

"I am honoured that my artwork was chosen to be presented in the Limelight art show, where so many talented artists from schools around Victoria have their work showcased," she said. "It is rare for me as a visual artist at SMUS to have my work seen outside the immediate SMUS network, so I was very excited to see my piece in the wider community."

"I enjoyed attending Limelight and seeing what students from other schools have done, and I am inspired to create works with mediums I discovered through other students' works," she added.

The exhibition is open to the public through June 21, Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm.