Thames Art Gallery Celebrates Local Highschool Artists and Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore

The Thames Art Gallery is pleased to host a reception on Friday, April 4th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, to celebrate the opening of powerlines in the distance by Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore and HERE I AM, an exhibition showcasing the work of Chatham-Kent High School students.

Through this exhibition Belmore enters an exchange, offering his voice as an Indigenous artist to how we connect to the land and its ever-changing reality, both past and future. In addition to his solo exhibition, Belmore worked with local high school students to create a collaborative piece titled “the place where we build our lives”, which will also be on display in the main gallery space.

HERE I AM is a vibrant showcase of creativity, passion, and talent from emerging young artists in grades 9–12 across Chatham-Kent. This collection highlights the visual narratives crafted by these budding creatives as they share their unique perspectives on the world through a variety of mediums and techniques.

The opening reception will include a special performance by the Chatham-Kent Secondary School Choir at 8:00 PM, followed by the announcement of award winners. These awards include four $100 prizes—two Awards of Excellence and two People’s Choice Awards—as well as the $1,000 Art Scholarship Award generously donated by Cathy Van Raay-Myers. Visitors can cast their votes for the People’s Choice Awards from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm.

power lines in the distance is on display from April 4 – June 29, 2025. 

HERE I AM is on display from April 4 – June 1, 2025.

Find additional information at www.tagartspace.com. You can also follow us @TAGCK and @ARTspaceCK for updates.

The Thames Art Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is located at the Chatham Cultural Centre, 75 William St. N. Chatham.


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Media Contact:
Vanessa Cornell
Curator, Thames Art Gallery
Arts + Culture | Community Culture & Connections
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 3265
vanessac@chatham-kent.ca

 

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