Amplify your voice and make a lasting impact in your vibrant art scene of Waterloo Region. Join KWAG’s Youth Council for the 2024/2025 cohort and embark on a journey that will transform your perspective on art and the world around you.
As a member, you will engage in bi-weekly meetings where you will delve into the inner workings of an art gallery, connect with contemporary art and artists, and collaborate on innovative ways to share the magic of contemporary art with your community. Including off-site field trips, exhilarating workshops and special events, your voice will be essential for an unforgettable cycle of artistic exploration.
A New Year
Starting in January, the KWAG Youth Council will develop a collaborative artwork for the landmark 50th edition of the annual Expressions exhibition, opening on Saturday, 29 March. Youth Council members will decide every step, from brainstorming about the theme of Foresight to making the artwork, installing it alongside the Curatorial team, writing about it and presenting it for the community.
Spring will bring even more opportunities chosen by our members, with a field trip and the potential to invite a local professional artist for a workshop. Youth Council members will have the opportunity to experience a guided tour of KWAG’s Permanent Collection, which currently holds more than 4,400 artworks.
As summer approaches, the Youth Council will present one final event for the year, putting into play their collective experience with public programming to host a happening of their own design
If you would like to get involved or have any questions, please reach out to Eric Almberg, Youth Council Coordinator at youthcouncil@kwag.on.ca.
Youth Council meets on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted).
Scheduled dates include:
January 16, 30
February 13, 27
March 27
April 10, 24
May 8, 22
June 5
Expressions 50: Foresight
Guardians of Hope
The KWAG Youth Council started this collaborative artwork by discussing what they see in their future. Many of their expectations indicated fear and frustration, and hope was the one thing that opposed such dire outcomes. This project represents the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and possibilities still available in the future. The Youth Council recognized that everyone has a different perspective on the future, and some people may see so much negativity that fear consumes their idea of what is possible. In what ways do you resist fear larger than one person can hold?
The deer symbolizes peacefulness and hope for wildlife facing the risk of erasure and, by extension, the humans who follow in their wake. The fragile handmade paper of the deer's skin holds resilient wildflower seeds that bring growth to a new cycle of birth and death, and the same seed paper on the wall represents an exchange with the Earth and the acceptance of reciprocal responsibility.
The seed paper on the wall is for you to make an exchange for your own written hopes. Visitors are welcome to include a message of encouragement and share their hope or intentions with others, which may lead to a more positive communal interaction with the Earth. While this artwork conveys a positive view of hope, everyone has a different lived experience that shapes their beliefs, values, and dreams. What does hope look like to you?
“The future we hope for is extravagant and bright, and it never stops shining. People are happy, and fear has mostly subsided.” - KWAG Youth Council.
The Youth Council would like to thank artist Stephanie Florence for sharing their expertise in paper-making.
Instructions for the seed paper exchange
Express
Step 1: On a single piece of paper, share your hopes for the future, or what hope looks like to you. Drawings, statements, poetry, or any other form are welcome.
Exchange
Step 2: Exchange your hope-filled paper for a single square of seed paper from the clothesline wall. Ensure your hope-filled paper is securely clipped to the rope.
Establish
Step 3: Take your seed paper home and plant it outdoors. For specific planting and growing instructions, visit the Ontario Seed Company website.
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Photos by KWAG.
