My name is Paige Riley and I am a 15 year old artist and I am the curator for the Summer Art Show for Kids.

When did I know I wanted to be an artist?

I don’t think there can be an actual moment that anyone can “become” an artist.  It is part of you and as you grow your talents grow with you.

Being creative through art, be it through music or through an image on a canvas, are positive ways to express your individuality.  Many use it as a way to express feeling and emotion, to release anxiety and stress, or use their art to make others happy.

What I want to achieve in my upcoming Summer Art Show for Kids is to allow kids, no matter the age, that they can be their own individual kind of artist and to showcase it. A lot of people look at a competitor’s art and feel jealous towards it, but in reality it isn’t better or worse, it is just different. Even if someone traces the ‘Mona Lisa’ or the ‘The Scream’ brush stroke by brush stroke, it will always be interpreted differently. That is because we are all unique in how we express art.

I am hoping all the young artists who participate in this art show, have an opportunity to display and feel good about what they have created.  And I also hope our locals come out and show us, young artists, the support we need to build up our confidence to continue being creative.

Don’t forget to bring your pieces to the Quail’s Nest Art Centre ready for display (framed or ready to hang) and put a price on it.  It is an awesome feeling of pride to have someone want to purchase your masterpiece. You can contact me with any further questions at paigeriley1998@gmail.com.