More than meets the eye: Artists in the School

The benefits of art education are not lost on young students.

They can see that while they are getting dirty and having fun, they are learning lots about artists they haven’t been exposed to, the lingo of the art world and new ways of seeing.

The Artists in the School program funded by Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society (PHAHS) places art educators in the classroom at Nottawasaga Creemore Public School, where Jordan Eveland throws out words like burnish and patina during a lesson Monday.

She and Gail Caswell have been working with three age groups on three different projects these past few weeks.

When asked what they have learned, a group of students say they are learning about triptychs.

Students started with a photograph of themselves and used string created a relief image, which became the matrix for a print and a pastel rubbing. Finally, the original piece is covered in tin foil and rubbed with shoe polish to create an embossed image, the third in a self-portrait triptych.

“It’s amazing how many ways there are of looking at yourself,” said student Hannah Bloemendal (pictured), while working on the Grade 4/5 project.

Over the last three weeks, Grade 6 students have been working on mobiles inspired by artist Alexander Calder, creating flying objects using wire frames, masking tape and tissue paper.

Grade 7/8 students were challenged with creating a Picasso inspired mixed media cubist collage depicting musical instruments.

Eveland said students were encouraged to use their problem solving skills to work through their assignments, while trying to execute their vision. They also learned about materials they may not have used before and repurposing everyday household items as art supplies.

The student art will be shown at NCPS’s 50th anniversary celebration on June 8, beginning at 4 p.m.

The program is funded through PHAHS membership fees.