It’s true! We can learn how to develop our drawing and painting skills more easily than we think. You want proof! Level 3 students’ drawings and paintings at Kingston Centre are a real proof.
The Community Arts Guild artists Beth, Jesse, Atiya and Chico introduced students to drawings, puppetry and storytelling, and brought up their memories of their journey to Canada in a very interesting and artistic way.
This project started as a story with simple words, fragments, short sentences, and after six sessions it ended up as art. Some students were more naturally equipped for it and some were not. Motivating them at first was challenging, but once they started, it became an exciting six-week journey. They found a way to utilize their writing about their journey to Canada as a jumping-off point to a great course of drawing, painting and creating art.
Here is what one of my students said, “ I have never drawn anything in my life and I am incapable of drawing.” After a few minutes, he came to the board to draw a mango because he did not like the one the artists had already drawn. He said, “ That mango doesn’t look real. I will draw a better one.”
The artists gave students a chance to experience art and bring out skills that they did not know they had, and they were able to turn every single student into motivated, creative and willing participants in the learning process.
Students didn’t have a boring moment, and they didn’t have a moment of frustration or disinterest due to the artists’ passion and willingness to teach them how to put their experience of coming to Canada into art.
After six weeks, students shared their stories and showed off their artwork in a celebration at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre.
And just like that, students went on a creative journey and had a chance to think outside the box. They improved not only their writing and speaking skills, but also their drawing skills. This was an awesome and amazing experience.
Mimoza Hoxha (Level 3 Instructor)
SAFSS Kingston Centre