The Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Thurs Mar 22 – 6-8pm       Sat Mar 24 – 10-2pm
Members   $60.    Non members $75.   
Includes: history of ‘Pysanky’, designs, instruction, individual assistance and materials. See website for details.
Experienced Instructors : Bo and Tina Huk     www.tryzubdesigns.ca

Specialist High School Major Class Participates in a Unique Workshop

Westgate Teacher, Marian Stevenson partnered with Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Vivian Wood-Alexander and brought her Specialist High School Major (SHSM) art class to the Gallery to participate in a unique workshop on an art practice that encourages a connection to place.  The SHSM allows students to focus their high school learning on arts and culture while meeting the requirements for secondary graduation. A field trip such as this fits part of the requirements of the course.

Arriving at 10am the day began with a slide show about the history of what is variously known as land art, environmental art, eco art or site specific art.  It set the context and included artist Marcel Duchamp and his break into conceptual art, Joseph Beuys and his tree plants, Richard Long who left the confines of the art college to work in the outdoors and UK artist, Andy Goldsworthy who was the main role model for the day. Other artists’ work included Lynne Hull and her large scale bird nests (really intended for use), local Thunder Bay installation artist Sarah Link and pinhole photography of Bob Jickling.  We even took a tangent and looked at the work of Chris Jordan considered an environmental artist who makes startling commentary on our behavior as a consumptive species.  Students were asked to reflect afterwards how this introduction affected them.  Most found it helpful and inspirational.  Some were impressed and taken aback by the ephemeral nature of Andy Goldsworthy’s pieces while others were drawn to the possibilities with pinhole photography.  The largest part of the day included going out on site, outdoors behind the Gallery and deciding where to create their own artwork in this genre.  Every student commented that they enjoyed the session.  Students and teacher Marian Stevenson were asked to reflect on their experience and this is some of what they had to say;

“It felt awesome to create a piece out of natural material.  I chose the spot I did because it was tree with space around it.  I wanted my piece to be able to be seen from far.”“It felt cold.  When I started working it got warmer”.

“I think it was awesome being able to have free reign but maybe have some themes ready if someone can’t think of something. Besides a few technical difficulties, it was really well put together and I learnt a lot”.

“The icicle art was really crazy.  It’s hard for me to grasp that you make something that’s going to fall apart soon after…I guess I’m protective about my art”.

Marian Stevenson commented – “I knew the experience for my class would be good but I didn’t expect it to be this good”.