South Delta Secondary students are joining with South Delta Artists Guild members to present an exhibition at the Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery.

The show, titled Adventure, features artwork from students and guild members as well as poems and short stories by students inspired by the various pieces of art.

The artists used "adventure" as the theme for their work.

"We wanted to choose a theme that might instigate some optimism. We thought last year with transcending vision that people would go there but sometimes they transcended into deep, dark mystery," says SDSS art teacher Julie Lymburner.

"We thought adventure might stir a lot of different perspectives, which we always try to do, but also maybe have that sense of wonder and joy and fun. I think it worked."

This show marks the third year SDSS and the local guild have worked together on a collaborative exhibit. Transcending vision was last year's theme.

Lymburner notes a lot of younger students, with not a lot of show experience, are involved in the exhibit.

They had to "step up their game" and use new materials they haven't worked with before as well.

"That always pleases me, that they'll challenge themselves as opposed to doing something that's tried and true," she says.

"This whole process is about risk taking, not just creating the art but putting it out there for the world to see and pass judgment on."

Grade 10 student Sarah Sawyer created a piece that shows the life of a butterfly. She used acrylic paint for the background, a real twig and crafted a butterfly, caterpillar and cocoon with cheese cloth, a thin mesh material.

Laura Lipek, an international student from Germany, wanted to incorporate travelling into her painting. Her picture shows a girl, who's holding balloons, on top of the Earth with some continents and famous landmarks.

The balloons signify "that she's travelling around and can go wherever she wants and that she's free," the Grade 11 student says.

South Delta Artists Guild honourary member Lennart Osterlind says using the adventure theme for the show has turned out very well.

Close to 50 paintings were submitted by guild members while around 30 paintings came from students, he says.

A youth group from the Delta Arts Council also took part this year, he adds.

Osterlind says a book with art and writing from the show will be coming out as well as a video about the exhibit.

A video was done for last year's show and it has appeared on Delta Cable.

"This one is going to be a little bit more exciting with the help of the students," he says, noting last year's was more or less an educational video. "We're looking forward to something that can be a little piece of art."

The show has an opening reception set for Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be award presentations made to both artists and writers.

Adventure runs until Jan. 27 at the Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery, 1710-56th St. (adjacent to the South Delta Recreation Centre).

dwillis@delta-optimist.com