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When you were a child, how excited would you have been seeing your art on a real art gallery wall?
That’s the feeling Anita ‘Neets’ Cheung and Ryleah Shae want to create with Tombolo Gallery, a brand new pop-up art gallery happening in September displaying the art of children aged three to 10.
“It’s a chance for the children to see their artwork on a larger stage,” says Cheung, an artist herself and aunt very involved with nieces and nephews.
Stereotypically children’s art ends up on fridge doors and cubicle walls, but Tombolo will put pieces up in a gallery setting, framed and hung by grown-ups. Cheung says it’s important for kids to feel celebrated and that their art matters.
“It feels a bit more ‘legitimate’ or ‘professional’ when it’s on a wall and framed and there’s an artist statement,” she explains. “The hope is one; for kids to see their voice and artwork is important and matters and two; to see that art is a way forwards.”
While some parents may be desensitized to their kids’ work, Cheung believes adults could learn something from kids’ perspectives of the world shown through art.
“I’m looking at my office and it’s full of their (her young nieces and nephews) art,” she explains. “I’m always inspired by them and how they perceive and see the world.”
The show
The first-ever Tombolo Gallery will run from Sept. 13 to 15 at the Sincerely Studio; this year’s theme is neighbourhood.
Along with the art on the walls, there will be activities, events and more.
“We want it to feel like a Willy Wonkaland of art,” says Cheung.
A reading space will be set up, and an arts and crafts corner. In another area will be a “post office” for people to post messages to the artists.
Collaborations are in place as well, with music and art classes, story time and a panel discussion (more directed to older attendees). Witching Hour will be doing a kid-friendly happy hour, and Alligator Soup will have a pop-up vintage kids clothing store.
“We really want it to be fun and playful and dynamic,” Cheung says.
Entrance to the show will be free with donations going to the Friends of the VPL; all are welcome to come view the art. Some events will be ticketed due to limited space; details will be released later.
How to submit
This year’s theme is neighbourhood, but how a child may interpret that is up to them. While the medium is open, a piece of paper no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches is recommended.
Submissions are free; Cheung notes there’s a form to fill out in advance so organizers can prepare. Closer to the date art can be sent in or dropped off; those one paper will be framed.
The artist will also need to prepare an artist statement to go with the work, essentially a caption.
There’s no location restriction for the artists, though the physical piece will need to find its way to Vancouver by the end of August. They’ve already had some from elsewhere in Canada, and outside of Canada.
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