By Jon Farmer
Most high school students won't claim that their homework makes a difference in the world but two art classes from St Mary's High School disagree. On Thursday November 5th from 4-7pm, Ms. MacLellan's grade nine and ten students will host an exhibition of original silkscreen and block prints at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery. All artworks will be available for purchase and proceeds from the show will support Syrian refugees through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.
When photographs of three year old Alan Kurdi's drowned body launched the plight of Syrian refugees back into world news, Ms. MacLellan used it to demonstrate the power of an image. She spoke to her students about the issues behind the photo and asked whether they thought they should try to help. "Everyone was nodding their head saying yes let's do something," she said. After discussing the idea with teachers and students they decided to use their work to create positive messages while raising awareness and money for the cause.
When the class debated which charity would receive the funds raised, grade ten student Ethan Lewis advocated strongly for Development and Peace. "I kind of pushed the idea because I felt is was more of an urgent issue right now and because the government is matching the money raised; you're really getting double the money so it's one of the best causes to be helping with the current crisis" he said.
This show is a first for the fledgling artists. "It's definitely a learning experience; it's the first time we've put on an art show and it's at the Tom Thomson so that's a big deal," grade ten student Mackenzie Hindman said.
The grade ten students silkscreened t-shirts and large prints while grade nine students created stamps and cards. The fundraising will support Syrian refugees but the artwork itself raises awareness for a variety of issues. "Not all the work focuses on Syria per se but they're each offering their own personal message like wanting gender equality or thinking about how the planet is being effected by climate change" Ms. MacLellan said.
Grade nine student Brontae Frook decided to use the proceeds from sales of her work to support Ronald MacDonald House. "My brother had cancer when he was about five years old so we stayed at Ronald MacDonald House. I've been making my prints and cards and trying to help fundraise money for them so that more families can stay for cheaper prices," she said. When it comes to cancer fundraising Frook said that "unless you're donating to Ronald MacDonald House or specifically donating to kids none of the money is going to kids". Frook only started to get into art last year but she now hopes to continue fundraising beyond this project. She has already raised more than $100 by selling her cards.
Grade ten student Rylah Mallette's piece depicts an equal sign in the centre of a heart formed by two hands. "I wanted to raise more awareness for equality between people and sexuality and gender and everything. I thought hands because everyone has hands to make a heart and show that everyone is equal," she said.
Some students described the three weeks leading up to the show as stressful but there were notes of triumph and pride as they described the creative process. Each student had to choose an image, edit it into a silhouette, transfer it to a stencil, and perfect the printing process with different inks and papers.
Mallette definitely found the process rewarding. "I learned that anyone can make a difference. In our art class we just started doing projects and it became so much more with our art shows. I'm proud of this class and the other art class that's involved with this because we're making a difference and raising awareness". "I didn't even know what silkscreening was before this year," she laughed.
The student initiative has gained the support of professional artists Ann Beam and Jane Burns who each donated works to the show. "It's really exciting to see the response of artists like Ann Beam saying 'we want to put our art out there' and supporting students", Ms. MacLellan added. The students' show will run at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery until November 15th.
