National Youth Arts Week officially under way (7 photos)

Advika Shukla was proud to show off her soapstone handy work Thursday evening at the Art Gallery of Algoma during the official launch of National Youth Arts Week (NYAW).

Coordinated nationally by the Arts Network for Children and Youth (ANCY), NYAW strives to engage youth in the arts community and teach them the value of art while providing creative outlets.

In addition to Thursday's soapstone carving workshop, the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and the Art Gallery of Algoma hosted live music from Ears and Eyes artists Nick Luck, Chris West, and Jackson Reed.

Visitors to the Gallery were encouraged to 'Leaf a Message' by writing positive messages or poems on a paper leaf.

The leaves will then be hung on a tree outside the Gallery for passersby to see and enjoy (once the rain stops).

The Sault Indigenous Writers' Collective held a public spoken word circle, and the Arts Council had on display entries from its Graffiti Reframed project, including photographic submissions from Alisha Beauchesne, Dana Chalifoux, Alissa Difumeri, sarah Gaudette, Micheal McAdams, Seamus O'Flanagan, and Tessa Rotermann.

The launch event was connected with other events across the country via online live stream headquartered in Toronto.

The live stream included a special presentation by Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow, Trinity/Spadina city councilor Mike Layton, and Sault Ste Marie native Rihkee Strapp who is currently the National Program Coordinator for Arts Network for Children and Youth.

Presented locally by the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie, the 3rd annual National Youth Arts Week continues through Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

For more information about National Youth Arts Week, please click here

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