More than 1,000 students took part in new opportunities at school this year to learn provincial curricula using creative media.
The students were participants in ArtsSmarts projects which involved teachers, local artists and students at 11 Island schools.
Through the projects, students learned core subjects by exploring topics of local significance through photography, videography, stained glass, painting, basket weaving and creative writing.
The students’ work is now on display at galleries and schools throughout the Island.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan encourages Islanders to attend the ArtsSmarts exhibits. “People will thoroughly enjoy these diverse presentations which were created by our own students and artists on topics related to Island heritage and culture,” said Minister Greenan. “We are pleased to provide our continued support to ArtsSmarts and other innovative approaches that increase student engagement in learning.”
“Learning through the arts is a positive experience for everyone,” said Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram. “The ArtsSmarts program provides an enriched, engaging learning environment where students, teachers and artists work together to achieve common curriculum goals and have fun.”
The public can view the annual ArtsSmarts exhibition - Open Your Mind and Learn Through the Arts: A Year In Review from April 29 to May 11 at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. It will be launched at an open house in the gallery on Tuesday, April 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Projects will also be exhibited at the Eptek Centre from May 5 to 25. An open house will be held at Eptek on Monday, May 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Other celebrations are also being held in May and June at Island schools.
On Thursday, May 1, students and teachers Susan Shives and Andréanne Gélinas of École La-Belle-Cloche in Souris will present their project “Clip” which was supported by artists Marion Copelstone and Daniel Arsenault.
Elm Street School will present “Insyclé” on May 5. This project was supported by teachers Marie Anne Roy and Carolyn Turner, and artist Pat LeClair Bates.
Also on May 8, Cardigan Consolidated School students, teacher Nancy McKinnon and artist Everett Johnson will present the project “Reflections from the Past.”
Prince Street Elementary School will present “Prince Street School: Past and
Present” at the school on May 8. This project was initiated by teachers Phillip Brown, Natalie Fraser and Liz Pendergast, in collaboration with artists Terry Dunton Stevenson and Catherine Millar.
“Five Reflections, One Future” will be presented May 15 at Souris High School by Souris Family of Schools students and teachers, along with artists Terri Hall, Lorraine Hennessey, Nancy Ching, Lilian Humphrey, Rika Cheverie and Louise LeBrech.
“Spirit of a Community” will be presented on May 28 at Spring Park Elementary School by students, teacher Connie MacKay-Carr and artist Everett Johnson.
“Weaving Stories, a glimpse into Aboriginal culture,” by Elm Street School, will be presented on May 30 by students, teachers Elizabeth Blake and Sharon Anderson and artist Charlie Sark.
“Capture the Moment,” by Cardigan Consolidated School, will be presented on June 6 by students, teacher Dawn Nelson and artist Wayne Crouse.
Several other projects were presented in March and April. These included: “Together We Dance” by West Kent Elementary School and artist Julia Sauvé; “Un passé à ne pas oublier un avenir à construire” by École Pierre-Chiasson and artist Lynn Gaudet; “The Colours of Sound” by St. Jean Elementary School and artists Scott Parsons and Julia Colterjohn.
For more information on ArtsSmarts visit www.artssmartspei.ca.