For the twelth straight year, the Saint John Arts Centre has offered an 18-week Portfolio Development Program to high school students in this part of the province. This program, which is unique in New Brunswick, is designed for students who are dedicated to the pursuit and study of visual art.

The students selected for this years’ program were: Mackenzie Hachey, Abbi Horvat, Tessa Horvat, Isabelle Lagacé-Stewart, Jacob Milton, Kira Poirier, Tyler Pomeroy, and Racheal Ross.

The purpose of this program was to provide each student an opportunity to develop a proper portfolio for presentation to a post-secondary school. This year, five local professional artists and educators – Darren Byers, Alison Gayton, Fred Harrison, John Pottle and Robert Van de Peer – provided formal instruction in their specialized medium (sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing/life drawing, and printmaking.)

SJAC would like to thank the James Venner Russell Foundation for their continued generous funding of this program. We would also like to thank and acknowledge the following sponsors whose continued support also contributed greatly to this years’ success: The NB Department of Tourism, Heritage, & Culture; Eastward Sales; Endeavours; & M. Graham & Co. Fine Paints.