Greg Swainson is getting a little help from his students.
To help celebrate the seasonal opening his studio gallery, the watercolourist has asked his students from the past year to exhibit some of their work.
“It gives the community the chance to see what people can do,” said Swainson, who runs Raintree Studio and Gallery out of his home in Qualicum Beach.
He also said that the show gives the 20 or so emerging artists, who vary in levels of experience, an opportunity to show their work and receive positive feedback.
“They’re their own worst critics,” he said. “Most of them, with a little encouragement, could flourish.”
The student exhibit will be entirely composed of watercolours, which were painted either in one of Swainson’s classes, another class or at home. This will be the third year students have exhibited work at Raintree.
Of course, Swainson’s own work will also be featured during the opening. His watercolours will hang in an adjoining studio.
The three day opening show will run May 1-3, the the studio open 4-8 p.m. on the Friday and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
At that point Raintree Studio and Gallery, which is located at 5101 West Island Hwy, will revert to its regular summer hours: Thursday to Sunday from 12-5 p.m. The gallery will be open until September.
Starting May 7, the gallery where the students’ work hung will be taken over by 11 professional community-based artists. This group’s work will range from painting, stained glass and jewellery to wood work, pottery and floral arranging.
For more information on Swainson, the gallery or art classes held over the summer, visit raintreestudio.ca.