TORONTO – Blank Canvases is an art program that brings local Toronto artists from Walnut Studios into a school to work with students to develop art projects.
Niagara Street Public School decided to partner with this program to allow students to grow creatively.
“We are bringing a fresh perspective on art,” said artist educator Bernadette Wycks who works with the students. “Being creative using our creative thinking skills to problem solve about how to make images and express ideas and it’s worked out really well so far.”
As part of the lesson planning, the program uses the inspiration of both historical and local Toronto artists. The children then take what they learned and apply those styles to their own artwork.
“Art can open up so many doors inside their mind and their hearts, it can help them focus and concentrate, help them problem solve, helps them work together in a community,” said Wycks.
“I think it’s amazing because to have an actual artist come into the classroom and share their creative process and share that with the kids,” said teacher Stephen Martin.
Niagara Street Public School principal Angela Marsh is happy her school is collaborating with this program.
“What’s beautiful is the kids are really focused, their engaged. Their doing beautiful things and it’s just a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Marsh.
Students are gaining more knowledge about historical artists, local artists and where they come from.
“The great thing about having a program like this is they can be as creative as they want to be and there is no definition,” said Martin.
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