The public is encouraged to explore and celebrate the artistic and creative skills, thoughts and ideas of students who participated in an arts-based learning program in nine Island schools this year, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey.
“Our Island is rich in artistic talent and our young people are no exception,” said Minister Vessey. “Teaching through the arts in all subjects is a great way to engage students and make learning more dynamic and meaningful. I encourage all Islanders to visit these two unique exhibits.”
The work of more than 550 students will be on display at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Gallery from May 5 to May 19 and at the Eptek Centre in Summerside from May 19 to June 2. ArtsSmarts PEI is a proud partner of the National ArtsSmarts Network, a national program that teams artists with schools to integrate creative processes and approaches of the arts into different classroom subjects.
Students combined their learning of core subjects such as math, science, social studies, health, physical education and language arts with the help of visual and literary arts, dance, music and theatre. This is the seventh year Island schools have participated in the program.
“Prince Edward Island students are enjoying a well rounded education thanks to programs like ArtsSmarts,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie. “By working with artists in the classroom, students are developing creative thinking skills and exploring opportunities in arts and culture. Educational experiences such as this will help young Islanders to be more successful in a 21st Century learning environment.”
BACKGROUNDER ~ ArtsSmarts projects
École-sur-Mer
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 worked on an adaptation of the musical The Little Mermaid through song, music, theatre, dance, costumes, accessories and decor, painting, and drawing. Students learned about underwater life as well as geometry and measurement through the project.
École Saint-Augustin
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 created 12 scroll-shaped banners featuring important themes related to Francophone culture in Rustico. The students interviewed individuals and groups from the community who worked to protect and promote Francophone culture before designing images and symbols for each banner.
Elm Street School
Grade 6 students created comic strips highlighting the issue of bullying. Each student created a story and had their comic strip included in a book.
Kensington Intermediate Senior High School
Grade 10-11 students studied the work of Andy Warhol and created their own large pop art painting with a food theme. Students also organized an exhibit to feature the work.
Gulf Shore School
Students in Grades 4 to 6 produced a large, three-dimensional map displaying Rustico from 1970 to the present. Students were partnered with local seniors to learn about the physical changes of the community before incorporating them in the map.
Sherwood Elementary School
Grade 2 students produced three large panels showcasing the cultural diversity of students attending the school. The panels are a visual representation of the cultural identity and diversity of urban schools in the 21st century.
Stratford Elementary School
Grade 6 students were introduced to the materials and equipment of metals. This is a median not typically used in art making in a classroom. They were also taught about French artists and French cultural movements. Students recorded their thoughts on the different sessions and created their own work of art.
Bluefield School
Students created a DVD demonstrating their creative expression through poetry, rhetoric, graphic design, theatre and movement. The DVD, which promotes self-esteem, healthy living and empowerment, also includes clips from students’ exercises and artwork, as well as interviews with the teachers and artists.
École François-Buote
Students explored the theme of winter through various written and oral presentations. They also participated in a variety of arts activities exploring shapes, colours and words before creating a painting with a winter theme.