Seventeen students at l’École acadienne de Truro are experiencing life in the spotlight.
The students were at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on March 22 for the unveiling of De la boue et du vent (Of Mud and Wind) – Our Stories, Our Land, an exhibition featuring their very own creations. The students had the opportunity to experience an opening reception at the gallery which featured some special guests including Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage David Wilson and Ray Cronin, Director of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
“It was a fantastic trip, the students had a lot of fun and they left very proud and excited,” said Juliana Barnard, Cultural Animator at the school. “We actually took our Grade 4 and Grade 6 students in for the opening as well. The art gallery did an amazing job and the paintings look so beautiful.”
The project involving the local students was made possible through a partnership between ArtsSmarts Nova Scotia, GénieArts Nouvelle-Écosse - a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and promote the development of the arts and culture sector for Acadian and Francophone communities of Nova Scotia - and the Department of Education.
According to Barnard, the project began with the Grade 5 class exploring Acadian history. Part of that exploration involved a class trip to a number of Acadian Heritage sites throughout Colchester County where the students could see first-hand where the Acadians lived prior to being deported in 1755.
The next phase included the students working with Halifax-based artist Francois Gaudet as they explored their own historical and cultural connections to the Acadians.
Steven Jackson and Marie-Sophie Dromer are two of the Grade 5 students who have their work on display. Both were thrilled with the entire process and even a little surprised.
“When I first heard about it, I thought it was going to be a quick-one day thing that really didn’t amount to anything,” said Jackson. “I was completely wrong. I was really taken back when I found out what it was.”
Gaudet challenged the students to consider their own identity in relationship to their local heritage by using photographs of their faces and painting over them to create a self-portrait. The students then worked with Barnard and teacher Collette Samson to develop a portrait of the historical and cultural landscape of the region. Then they used their photo and put it on top of the background completing their piece.
Barnard said Gaudet would spend one day a week at the school.
Students were broken up into two groups and he would spend three hours at a time with each group.
“The students developed a great relationship with the artist and the whole project was very fulfilling and gives the students a lot of confidence and showed them they’re really capable of doing amazing things,” said Barnard. “A number of students have told me that this whole thing has allowed them to discover they enjoyed art and could draw and paint when originally they didn’t think they could. They are now interested in going to see art. It was a way for them to express themselves.”
While they never really thought about it while creating the artwork, both Jackson and Dromer were thrilled when the exhibit was unveiled.
“I was thinking we were stars,” laughed Dromer. “Our very own paintings were hanging in a real gallery. It was pretty cool. I was a little nervous about people seeing it. I’m kind of shy and I’m not sure my photo is the best so I guess I wonder what people will think.”
“I felt a sudden surge of confidence when I saw my art on the wall,” added Jackson. “I too was a little nervous at first because you worry that your painting may not be as nice as you thought it was, especially surrounded by professional artwork, but I soon realized it was pretty good for a person like me who doesn’t paint much.”
Like their classmates, both Jackson and Dromer agreed Gaudet was a terrific choice.
“He made it so easy going,” said Dromer. “If you went to him with a problem, he always seemed to know a pretty easy way to fix it. He was also very nice and funny, which helps. He showed me how to mix certain colours so I would get a nicer picture in the end instead of a dull, grey look.”
The exhibit will remain at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia until August.