Local students get an art lesson from Dr. Bondar (8 photos)

Students from five area high schools - White Pines, Superior Heights, Korah Collegiate, St. Mary's and St. Basil's - received an in depth and personal art lesson this morning from Dr. Roberta Bondar at the Art Gallery of Algoma.

Coinciding with an exhibit of her own photography, Within the Landscape: Art Respecting Life, Dr. Bondar's seminar on photography explained her process, the environment, the inspiration and the focus of her work and the personal meaning behind it.

In the process, the students were encouraged to take part in the Bondar Challenge, a program designed to inspire respect and understanding of the environment using photography.

Presented by the Roberta Bondar Foundation, students from all three local school boards have been invited to accept the Bondar Challenge.

Participants are invited to explore the biodiversity of their environment and capture images that demonstrate their concerns and understanding.

Each submission will be adjudicated according to predetermined criteria by a panel of judges that includes Edward Burtynsky, Arthur Bondar, Michael Burtch and Dr. Bondar herself.

More information about the Bondar Challenge may be found here

The official opening of Dr. Bondar's photo exhibit takes place this evening at the Art Gallery of Algoma starting at 7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Within the Landscape: Art Respecting Life will remain on display in the main gallery until December 11, 2011.

For more information about the Art Gallery of Algoma, please visit www.artgalleryofalgoma.com