Students have been working for more than a month on this biennial art event. Here is the process we went through:
In January, as a class, we discussed moments in our lives (memories). I read the book, “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge”, by Mem Fox. This is a story about a young boy (Wilfrid Gordon) who lives next door to a senior citizen’s complex in Australia and all the folk who live there. Wilfrid Gordon’s favourite person is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper (as she also has four names). When he overhears, from his parents, that she has lost her memory he sets out on a quest to find out what memories are and how he can help Miss Nancy regain her lost ones. It is a very touching story.
After we read the story, students completed activities (in class) that explored all sorts of memories / moments; times when they were happy, sad, nervous, worried, etc. As you know, they were asked to discuss family memories with their families. They wrote about, and brought to school, photographs of a specific ‘powerful’ memory.
Students made a preliminary plan (drawing) of what their final art piece would look like. The next step was to focus on the background. This was quite difficult for this grade level! Using watercolour paper they painted just the background colours. The following week they chose the part of the photograph that they wanted to include. They also made other pieces to be included – via collage.
With the idea of bringing attention to an important (special) part of their art, students had a choice of using a flashlight or popsicle sticks to ‘frame’ it – a few chose to use both. The flashlights were clipart off the internet. We used a technique that I learnt from a workshop at the Burnaby Art Gallery. The pictures were covered with packing tape and then cut out. Students soaked them in a tub of water and scraped off the paper backing leaving the image on the tape. They seemed to really enjoy doing this. Students who chose to use the ‘frames’ had to determine how many they would need (by laying everything out) and then they painted them.
The last stage of the process was to put it all together. Students put all the pieces into place and then glued them using liquid glue. The final touch, for those using flashlights, was to add tissue paper as the light beam shining on their focal point.
Students completed ‘Artist Statements’ which were required by the Burnaby Art Gallery in order to have the piece considered during the jury selection process. This meant that they needed to name their piece and describe what it is / why it was chosen as a powerful memory. These were attached via paper clip to the back of each piece. The Jury Panel from the B.A.G. came to our school yesterday morning and spent time looking at each of the pieces, which were laid out in the Multi-Purpose room for them. They do this process on their own – no school personnel included – I find out what they take after they have left! They photograph each piece of art which they put into their ‘digital’ display. Our pictures will be incorporated with all the other artwork, from participating classes, from other Burnaby elementary schools. This digital display will be able to be viewed both at the Art Gallery and via their website. I will let you know when it is up and running.
As always, this has been a great learning process for the students. They often seek instant gratification from their assignments (“I’m done!”). This journey showed them that there are many steps and stages needed to create a complex piece of art.
The Jury Panel typically chooses a few pictures to physically take to the art gallery, from each participating class, to be put on display. This is my fourth time doing this at Rosser (it is offered to elementary schools every second year) and each time we have had two pieces chosen. This year was no exception. We are all very proud and happy for Lily and Jayden that their pieces will be on display at the Burnaby Art Gallery. The rest of the pieces are on display on the bulletin board in the hallway outside of our classroom, near the office. Please drop by and have a look. The picture (above) really doesn’t do justice to the great results of the students’ hard work.
There will be an Opening Reception on Thursday, April 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Burnaby Art Gallery. The exhibit is then open to viewing during their regular hours from April 17th – May 17th. Everyone is welcome to attend the Opening Reception – no tickets are required. There is an official opening with a few speeches; often by the mayor or other municipal councillors and usually some school board people, as well. It is a great opportunity to see a wide variety of artistic interpretations on the theme. I always enjoy going. I hope to see many of you there.
As always, a huge thank you for all of your support with this project!
Shelagh Temple