By Lisa Schick

Art Gala is all about the kids

Mar 13, 2011 | 8:39 AM

Instead of on fridges and thumbtacked to the playroom walls, on Mar. 17 artwork from the children of Prince Albert will be on display at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre.

The 2011 Framed Talent Art Gala and Silent Auction features artwork of children, pre-K to grade 8, from childcare centres and school across Prince Albert.

Mickey MacGillivray, with Children’s Choice St. Michaels, is one of the coordinators of the gala and said it’s all about showcasing the children’s talents.

“It’s not about colouring on a piece of paper, the art that we have is everything from canvas art to… feathers and buttons… so we just decided we should have a night where we could show the people of Prince Albert what children can really do.”

The committee has contacted school and childcare facilities across the city asking for donations of children’s artwork to present.

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The gala is not only to present the artwork, but also to present the kinds of things children can create when they are put into the play and exploration model.

MacGillivray said the play and exploration model is less structured than other curriculums and lets kids dictate what the activities in the day are going to be.

“My director, Gail Boutner, has a saying, that ‘it’s amazing what children can do when you let them’, and this is what it’s all about,” said McGillivray.

Bloom’s and Bud’s Childcare Centre in Prince Albert is one of the host site centres for the play and exploration curriculum and was a big participant in the first year of the gala.

This is the second year of the gala, Samantha Simmonds with Bloom’s and Bud’s said the first gala was fantastic.

“When we got there it was out of this world! I couldn’t even have imagined what it would look like, it looked like a real art gallery and the children’s art was displayed in such a fantastic, respectful, amazing manner,” said Simmonds, “when we heard they were doing it again we definitely jumped on board.”

Simmonds said since the kids were told about the art show they have been working especially hard to create their pieces.
“They have been at the table for the past couple of weeks just working continuously, trying to make these art pieces and they take such pride in doing it.”

MacGillivray said the event isn’t quite black tie, but they do like people to be dressed up.

There will be wine and appetizers, a silent auction on the art and live entertainment which will be unveiled the night of the gala.

Proceeds from the ticket sales and silent auction will go toward the Children’s Choice Grant Initiative.

The initiative will parcel out the money to childcare centres willing to implement and explore the play and exploration curriculum.

lschick@panow.com