Shaping Artistic Expression

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Every artist was first an amateur." 

At CIS, our wonderful art team works with guest artists, introducing our students to the world of art, through experience, challenge, and experiment. Not every child will grow into an artist, but they become better future leaders with understanding and appreciation of one of the best creations of mankind.

Last week, students in Grade 5 and 6 had a chance to work with a guest artist for a festive sculpture class! Let's see where this adventure has taken them, with educational insights from our very talented Art teacher Ms. Ana Grkovic.

"I have had the opportunity to work with Zoey Chen in her art studio twice before. As an art teacher, I was amazed by the versatility of sculpture paint. Our Grades 5 and 6 students love a challenge, so CIS decided to bring Zoey in to share her aesthetic experience and give our students a chance to create, to value, reflect upon and appreciate the cultural aspects of sculpture art. The Canadian (Alberta) curriculum states that it is very important for students to work with a range of materials as a vehicle or medium for explaining art in a meaningful way. Working with mixed media allowed our students to create newer patterns and textures that can be added to the surface of their 3D works of art. It was truly a fulfilling experience for them!"

"Students loved that they could be a part of this in-house ‘field trip.’ They all learnt to express themselves by using media and different techniques and were able to create 1-2 works of art that they could keep or auction off at the upcoming CIS Winter Festival, with all funds being donated to charity. Art instruction, as we all know, helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. Art education also fosters true collaboration, a CIS core value that we promote daily. We can’t wait to start on our next art project!"