Written By Pia Dhawan
As we know, COVID-19 has restricted us from doing the activities we have wanted to do. Here at St. Augustine, our art classes have created a great environment for people to enjoy and appreciate! This autumn, our art students have created a HOPE Garden. The grade 9 students have made bewildering tiles and have done graffiti with beautiful stencils. We got to enjoy nature outside and make pieces for everyone to have a delight in!
Above are some pictures of our garden and below are some pictures of the graffiti designs. The artwork created by the students are all based on the theme of positivity and hope for all individuals that walk by to enjoy.
These pictures were taken on Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada. Our HOPE Garden is not only showing art but it is giving awareness to those who walk by. Stencils were used to spray paint on the t-shirts so they could be worn at school as well. It is astonishing to see how art brings us together and the meaning behind every piece, remember that Every Child Matters!
Be Creative Outside!
Students can be having complicated and stressful times with school. Getting fresh air is relevant at this time, especially for full time online students who are not getting out as much. Doing art outside can be very peaceful because you get time to appreciate the things around you. Here are some examples of arts and craft ideas to do outside:
- Painting or drawing the nature around you
- Decorate leaves or rocks and make your own hope garden at home
- Photography, capturing the essence of your surroundings
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”- Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve was an actor, director, and activist. You may have also known him for his role of Superman. Christopher Reeve was a hero because of his powerful presence used to fight for millions of people with disabilities. He never gave up. Below is an article of the accident that changed his life.
Mental Health
Online school can be very tedious, especially being online for an entire day. So taking breaks is important. Art lets you express yourself and there are no rules to it. Doodling and drawing can help take stress off you and can give your eyes a break. Every once in a while, try taking breaks away from the computer after a stressful day of school.
Our art students have been really helpful in creating a positive garden around the school. Arts is looking for donations to help finish this project in the spring and will be selling masks next week to raise money for charity. To see more of our students artworks, follow our arts account: @sachsarts
Titan Times 