“They say the happiest place on earth is Disneyland. They’re wrong. It’s camp.” Author Unknown. Shelley MacDonald is spearheading happy in Lismore, Nova Scotia this summer as she partners with the Municipality of Pictou County Summer Recreation and Lismore Hall to bring youthLEADarts to their community, two hours outside of Halifax. Youth of all ages …
Making Summer Memories With youthLEADarts: Camp Lismore! Read More »
“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.” Anni Albers Breathing happiness. What a beautiful concept. There are many expressions that have to do with breath: catch your breath, out of breath, hold your breath, a breath of fresh air… Breathing happiness. This one stands out. It conjures images abundant in …
Poem in Your Pocket Day was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. In 2016, the …
“Use the creative process — singing, writing, art, dance – whatever — to get to know yourself better.” Catie Curtis We are all in process. This week at Xpey’ has been so much about that process, about finding ourselves through art and collaboration, about discovering the qualities that make each and every one of us …
Sometimes you do not need words to tell a story, sometimes it reveals itself in colours and images that dance across a once blank page. Today at Xpey’, students created with Deirdre who delivered her workshop from her studio in Quebec. She guided them through the art of self-portraits, encouraged them to select images that …
Xpey’ means cedar in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language of the Musqueam people. Xpey’ is an Indigenous Focus Choice School on the East Side of the City of Vancouver whose goals are to nurture social emotional learning and foster pride in and knowledge of Indigenous culture, language and ancestry. The vision at Xpey’ is to foster academic excellence, …
“I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world.” Rainer Maria Rilke At Britannia this week, our circles of self-knowledge, expression and community expanded. As one student concluded, “ I learned how to use my voice.” These voices now ripple beyond the classroom, can cross borders and be heard by communities …
Widening Circles: Britannia’s Youth Speak Through Their Art Read More »
“Just one, small, positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” Dalai Lama As we gathered in our morning community circle at Britannia Elementary, we placed intentions on the day. For many, intention was a new word. Elder Amanda’s intention was that everyone realize how truly unique and gifted they are, that each …
Art. The kind of magic that happens when a blank page becomes a celebration, when separate strands come together and are woven into something strong, magnificent and meaningful. Art is a great teacher. In the morning, the youth at Britannia, and the teachers too, learned from Quebec artist Deirdre Potash that it was OK to …
Goosebumps. I get them when I experience something that moves me deeply. Today was a goosebump kind of day. Today marked the return of youthLEADarts artists to classrooms, in person. Today we got to once again sit in a circle, in ceremony with students and connect face to face, idea to idea, inspiration to inspiration…in …
LEADing With Words: youthLEADarts Poets at Britannia Elementary Read More »