[ad_1]
Art was the perfect opportunity for the students of Chemainus High School to deploy their talents beyond the classroom and into the community to spread the joy of Christmas.
Students working with art teacher Rhona Kane went out for two days last week and again on Monday to dress up some of the windows of businesses in the town of Chemainus as a gesture of kindness and affirmative action during the holiday season.
The idea arose out of Principal Lori Hryniuk’s desire for the community at large to see the artistic abilities of the students reflected in their work within the school.
“She thought we did such a good job there that we could take it out to the community and do something good for everyone,†Kane said.
“This is great news for the youth in our community,†said Hryniuk.
“I contacted (the president) Chris Istace and he got me into the Chemainus Business Association and it started from there.”
“They then emailed all the companies on our behalf,†Kane added.
One company, By The Bay Lavender, even offered an in-kind donation as a thank you.
“We had about 11 companies that wanted to do this,†Kane said. “We didn’t have enough time to hang out with everyone, but we did our best.
As the students did the work on site, “everyone who passed was just in awe of what they were doing,” Kane observed. “You could really see the community coming together. “
“It was fun,†said Crimson McClellan, a grade 12 art student. “We were able to go out into the community, meet nice people. I do not go out very often to Chemainus because I come from Thetis (island).
“Painting the interior is awesome. We would draw it freehand or with a stencil and place it against the window. Shopkeepers loved it, really grateful for all the decorations.
“It was nice to discover the Chemainus center,†added Sarah Ladot, a grade 12 international student from Belgium. “It was nice to use different techniques with paint, pen, different colors. I have never done that.
The students have previously teamed up for a competition to determine the best Christmas artwork in the school. Ashley Loeffen, Laura Rundquist and James Bélanger were the overwhelming winners in a school vote for their Winter Wonderland exhibit.
Now that the school has diversified, there is a desire to start over.
“It worked so well,†Kane said. “With more time it will be bigger and better.”
Christmas Art
Christmas art in the display window of the Chemainus health food store. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Winter Wonderland display won in the school for the best decorated Christmas window. Members of the winning team, from left to right, were: Laura Rundquist, James Belanger and Ashley Loeffen. (Photo by Rhona Kane)
Work on the By The Bay Lavender window was done, from left to right, by: Cora Haine, Chloe Junck and Rachel Halbot. (Photo by Rhona Kane)
The old Kinney Clothing Co. storefront artwork is attributed, left to right, to: Sydney Wilson, Jade Reinsch and Litonya Louis. (Photo by Rhona Kane)
Left to Right: Portia Duggan, Isabella Mason and Kaley Watts combine their window art talents at the Chemainus Theater Gallery gift shop. (Photo by Rhona Kane)
art scene at the Chemainus health food store. (Photo by Rhona Kane)” loading=”lazy” data-srcset=”https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5.jpeg 1200w, https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5-265×300.jpeg 265w, https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5-904×1024.jpeg 904w, https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5-768×870.jpeg 768w, https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5-640×725.jpeg 640w, https://3a0nh63bi31e2mggl320lr33-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27503922_web1_211216-CHC-Christmas-window-art-done_5-1024×1161.jpeg 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 320px) 93vw, (max-width: 639px) 97vw, (max-width: 1023px) 63vw, 640px”/>
Left to Right: Sarah Ladot and Crimson McClellan on the display art scene at the Chemainus health food store. (Photo by Rhona Kane)
[ad_2]
Comments are closed.