See the Artists of Tomorrow at the 2009 Smart Start Student Art Show at Sherway Gardens! May 1, 2009

Arts Etobicoke presents the 13th Annual Student Art Show, 2009 SMART START, sponsored by Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW) and featuring over 100 works of art from students from across Metro Toronto, running from Saturday, May 2 through Saturday, May 9 in Sherway Square. Call 416-621-1070 for more information or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.artsetobicoke.com.

“The 2009 SMART START Student Art Show is an integral part of Arts Etobicoke’s on-going arts education programming,” states Alisha Linseman, Program Coordinator, Arts Etobicoke. “The arts play a vital role in helping young people reach their full potential, and we encourage students at all levels of their creative development to participate in this annual show. The objective of the 2009 SMART START Student Art Show is to promote and encourage student participation and excellence in a broad spectrum of visual arts.”

“Sherway Gardens is committed to arts development in Toronto,” states Elena Price, Senior Marketing Director, Sherway Gardens. “Arts Etobicoke’s annual student art show provides a great opportunity for talented young artists to publicly exhibit their work.”

High schools from across Toronto are participating in the 2009 SMART START Student Art Show, with over 100 pieces or art on display including drawings, mixed media, paintings, printmaking, sculpture and photography. Arts Etobicoke organizes the show with the support of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The annual show is open to students from across Metro Toronto, giving students from grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to participate in a non-juried public exhibition.

This show is particularly important to aspiring young artists because it gives them a unique opportunity to present their artwork in a public forum, particularly in a high traffic venue such as Sherway Gardens.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with professional artists including Nancy Newton to have their work critiqued on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Arts Etobicoke will host a reception for the students, teachers and parents immediately following the student critiques.

Each participant will receive a package including a Certificate of Participation, a complimentary Arts Etobicoke membership, an exhibition catalogue and an invitation to the opening reception.

The public will be able to choose their favourite artwork piece with the People’s Choice Awards. The Kiwanis Club of Kingsway Humber is sponsoring five People’s Choice Awards of $200 each that will be awarded to the schools of the selected students to be put towards the visual arts program. Balloting for the awards will be open for the duration of the show.

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca