Oxygen Art Centre is pleased to present the work of Grade 3 and 4 elementary students working through the Artist In the Classroom program. Students from two local elementary schools have been working with local artist, Jennifer McAuley to create a series of one of a kind, handmade, Art Cards to trade, exhibit and collect. Each week for the last few months the students have taken part in a workshop session series that introduces young artists to unique forms of visual expression. Each student has created a series of art cards that they can keep or trade. “By creating a collection of art work,” says McAuley. “Students learn the value of one-of-a-kind art, as opposed to mass produced, impersonal images and art making.”
Now the students involved have a chance to share their creations with the larger community and the opportunity to experience being part of an Art Opening and Exhibition at Oxygen Art Centre. Their work will be on exhibit from May 1-3, and the public are invited, not only view the art, but to come and create and trade their own art cards! The show opens on Friday May 1 from 5-7 p.m. and gallery hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oxygen Art Centre is located at 320 Vernon St. (back alley entrance) in Nelson. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
The art making sessions were tailored to work with the students current curriculum: Mr. Wheeler’s Grades 3-4 class at Blewett elementary used their studies of the properties of light and sound as a jumping off point, while Ms. Sabourin’s Grade 3 class at Rosemont Elementary focused on buildings and cities as a source of inspiration. The Artist In the Classroom ArtStarts program is a grant program for principals, teachers and Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) groups to bring professional artists into the classroom to collaborate on creative ways to explore curricula. More info can be found at www.artstarts.com.
