Water (re)Source presents incubators featuring projects by Queneesh Elementary (Drawing Water); and Beachcomber Academy (Water Cycles), and collections of artist contributions and community collaborations (A Repository for Water).
DRAWING WATER / arts-based explorations by Queneesh Elementary students + muralist Jason Craft, in the Community Gallery.
Over the past months students (K- Grade 6), educators, and artist Jason Craft, have worked together to create the concept for the new mural in the welcome foyer of Queneesh Elementary. The mural reflects the watery world that the Comox Valley is steeped in.
Christine VanderRee, principal, Queenesh Elementary School describes the project:
“Last spring, Queneesh Elementary PAC supported the replacement of the mural in the school’s two-story high foyer. Once we connected with Jason Craft, and saw examples of his incredible work, we began the mural making process. Jason spent time learning about our school culture and our Q compass, the symbol that represents of school’s values.
Over the summer, Jason painted our compass and the remain walls were a blank canvas. He then began his design process.
In September, he met with each class, kindergarten to grade 7 to explain the mural process and to learn from them what makes Queneesh and the Comox Valley unique. Children and staff were then given an opportunity to provide input either through conversation or examples of art for him to consider. Over 400 drawings were collected and many of them are on display at the gallery. A small committee of students were tasked with sorting the contributions, and then picking out samples to share with Jason. Jason took these and included aspects of them into his final product. His plan was presented digitally for feedback. Students, parents and staff were consulted and adjustments to the plan were made.
When the school closed for Winter Break, Jason set up to work. With only one day off, he was ready for the return to school. He saved the final details of the octopus and otter for the first day back after break. The children were able to see him at work and he spoke with many of them. The children easily found their contributions included on the walls of our school with one exception, the jellyfish. To the delight of some of our youngest children, he returned the following day and added those as well. We are delighted beyond words with the results. We are so lucky to have Jason Craft in the Comox Valley, so willing to work and inspire our kids and to draw inspiration from our school and broader community. ”
Drawing Water comprises 300 works by students that Jason responded to as the foundation for the mural.
“The Mural at Queneesh Elementary was a very special project for me, as well as the school community. All students at the school were asked to do a drawing for the mural, based on the school’s unique identity and local environment. Some of which were then used to create the final design. I painted the mural over the winter break, which made it exciting for the students to come back to. I have been painting murals professionally for 15 years and generally use a similar process to involve students. It thrills me to see young people get excited about art. I believe involving young people in art cultivates patience, perseverance and problem solving. Doing art is also very beneficial for their self-worth and gives them a sense of accomplishment and ownership.The students at Queneesh were exceptionally creative and enthusiastic, which culminated in a very successful piece of art.” – Jason Craft
See the video slideshow of this video project projected in CVAG’s Community Gallery: DRAWING WATER
WATER CYCLES / environmental research + art by Beachcomber Academy students and educators, in the Community Gallery
Water Cycles is a collection of site specific studies the students (all ages) have been engaged in over the past months, as they consider the implications of the cycles of tides and geological / aquarian eras that their school site is situated in.
Little Oysters Preschool – shoreline + salmon study
Dolphin Class – flora + fauna at sea level
Older Students – coastal flats to sub-alpine watershed
See the work presented in CVAG’s Community Gallery: WATER CYCLES
A REPOSITORY FOR WATER / invites community contributions + collaborations throughout the In The Water convergent program, in the Gather:Place
A Repository for Water holds a collection of multi media work, community stories, water samples, resource links, and the contributions of various local and more distant artists. The incubator is a source for collective consideration of our memory, perceptions, experiences, concerns and relationships with the water that surrounds and permeates everything in our world. This incubator project begins with contributions from artists: Liz Carter, bobbi denton, Tom Elliott, Kim Holmes, Spencer Shehan-Kalina, Bran Mackie, Gabrielle Moore, Renee Poisson, Sara Vipond, Project Watershed (Emily Carr student collaboration). Ongoing individual and community contributions are welcomed during the run of the convergent program In the Water (until February 29th). Bring water samples from a source that is special to you. Include a short story / memory / poem / drawing / photograph about the source of the water, for inclusion in this community incubator.
ROOT LOVE / interactive window exhibition inviting community – bring (non-invasive) cuttings + rootings to share and exchange
ROOT LOVE – COMMUNITY COLLABORATION / began in December 2019 with a living wall and plant sharing project and will continue as part of In the Water.This community engagement project offers opportunities to come together to share knowledge rooted in making, growing and sharing. Non – invasive plant cuttings can be brought to the gallery for rooting in water in the living wall installation in the CVAG window gallery. In exchange, rooted plants can be taken home. During the art opening on Saturday, January 18, a plant and knowledge sharing station will provide a nodal point for community connection to share and exchange exchange cuttings. Water and small handmade plant-transferring containers can be made. Materials are supplied, along with instructions. The station will remain available to the community throughout the duration of In The Water.
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