{"id":32645,"date":"2023-02-23T17:50:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T22:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/?p=32645"},"modified":"2023-03-02T19:11:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T00:11:26","slug":"mcoya-gives-students-a-chance-to-express-selves-through-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/mcoya-gives-students-a-chance-to-express-selves-through-art\/","title":{"rendered":"MCOYA gives students a chance to express selves through art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a young person of colour in what they describe as a \u201cpredominantly White area,\u201d Sydney Stewart, a Grade 12 student at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School wanted to give a voice to \u201cBlack students like me,\u201d particularly given today\u2019s political climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting her artistic talents in action, she created an evocative image of a young Black boy, standing before the American flag with his fist in the air as a sign of resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of blood on Americans\u2019 hands regarding race\u2026 and I felt like everyone has seen what\u2019s been going on in America, especially since 2020, and I want this piece to be a conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversation starter is entitled \u201cAmeriKKKA\u201d and is now on display at Town Hall as part of the Aurora Cultural Centre\u2019s Mayor\u2019s Celebration of Youth Arts (MCOYA), which formally opened last Wednesday, February 15, at the Centre\u2019s temporary gallery space at the seat of government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sponsored by Geranium Homes, this year\u2019s MCOYA is the first show open for in-person viewing since the start of the global pandemic, bringing together the work of 53 Grade 12 students from across the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew this exhibition would be brilliant and you have all far exceeded my expectations,\u201d said Kristen Donoghue-Stanford, Gallery Assistant for the Aurora Cultural Centre, addressing the artists at the opening reception. \u201cIt takes a lot of trust in others with your work and you all did it so wholeheartedly. We were blown away as your submissions came in and then once again when we got to see the beautiful works in person. It was an absolute delight to install these works and see it come together\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have all come together here to showcase your work but more importantly yourselves and what you value, what you wish to be seen and heard. Seeing this exhibition come together and seeing all of you here tonight, I hold great hopes for the future of arts in Aurora.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What she values and what she wants to be seen and heard is certainly reflected in Stewart\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says she wants her work to prove that \u201cnot everyone looks the same, some people don\u2019t have as much privilege as other people, and the same perspectives, and even though not everyone has the same perspective or the same opinions on what\u2019s happening, I think when you look at the piece and you see the statement of the fist in the air, the American flag \u2013 and I did the stars wonky because everyone in America is so different \u2013 just to show that historically there is a lot happening within not only America, but within North America.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted my piece to be controversial and that\u2019s why I gave it the name. I think it\u2019s important to have this conversation because growing up here we never had this talk about race and discrimination and I think with the climate we\u2019re currently in it\u2019s a statement piece and it lets people talk about it. The message is so clear, it allows a space for people to converse about what\u2019s occurring and that\u2019s all I really wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond North America, Aurora High School Grade 12 artist Ameliija Le Moine used her art to express anger over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who was arrested for not wearing a hijab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think women are really limited by what they can wear and I think society has put a lot of pressure on women for what they can show, what they can\u2019t show, and I think this is just a painting to show the liberty women should have with their coverage and it\u2019s kind of their choice,\u201d said Le Moine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le Moine has always had a passion for hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s had her own hairstyling business since she was in Grade 5 and regularly books gigs for proms and weddings \u2013 and amassing a steady following with her hair tutorial videos on TikTok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Mayor\u2019s Celebration of Youth Arts is an event that gives young artists a chance to show their creativity, interpretation of life events, powerful themes, or just the simplicity of everyday emotions,\u201d said Mayor Tom Mrakas. \u201cVisual arts and for that matter all forms of arts and culture are truly one of the bedrocks of our community. The arts bring people together, help us better understand our society, gives people an important outlet for self-expression, while also providing young people with opportunities to build new skills that can eventually lead to exciting and meaningful careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should be very proud of the brilliant pieces you have created. Keep up the amazing work. Thank you to the parents of these young artists who have given them tools, foundation, encouragement and time to explore their artistic abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Added Cheryl Shindruk, Executive Vice President of Geranium Homes, \u201cOn behalf of our entire team, congratulations to the Grade 12 students whose art is included in this year\u2019s exhibition. As a land developer and home builder, Geranium believes it is important and it is our responsibility to make a positive and lasting impact on the communities in which we have the honour of building. Your creativity never ceases to astound us. The variety of work and extraordinary talent on display here is remarkable. We hope you are all proud of your accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mayor\u2019s Celebration of Youth Arts runs in-person and virtually through March 18. For more, see, auroraculturalcentre.ca\/mcoya2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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