“The Dolphin students were so excited when I told them they had a show at the Comox Valley Art Gallery this month,” said Jolaine Kelly, Beachcombers Community School’s art teacher.
The school, which has mixed-age classes as part of a Montessori-inspired academic program, uses sea-life mascots for each class.
“Our senior elementary students, the Dolphins, have been focused on creating works of art using printmaking techniques for the upcoming show entitled Once in a Blue Moon,” said Kelly.
The show will be held in the Sawchuck Gallery at the Comox Valley Art Gallery from Sept. 29 to Nov. 3. The public is invited to the opening at CVAG this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The artists will be in attendance.
“It is wonderful to see students enthusiastic and inspired about the arts,” said principal Wendy Preston.
In addition to covering the BC arts curriculum, Beachcombers School’s art program includes visiting artists for students from kindergarten to Grade 7, an exploration of a variety of visual art mediums, and traditional Waldorf arts using natural materials.
“It is a dynamic program with our lovely and very dedicated art teacher, Jolaine Kelly,” said Preston.
“Our school offers an excellent academic program paired with quality arts programming in the visual arts, language arts, and music. This is also complemented by our Coastal Studies program.
"I am very pleased with the quality and diversity of programming we are able to offer elementary students. We plant the seeds of enthusiasm for learning in children whilst providing a strong academic foundation,” said Preston.
This month the Sea Star class (ages five and six) were visited by Coombs nature-inspired artist Elke van Breemen.
Van Breemen has a B.A. in Science in Natural Resources and Conservation from the University of British Columbia. Her passion for painting has been informed by her experience with wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. She brought a mini-exhibition of wildlife drawings and paintings as part of a workshop with students; it was a charming event.
“We are grateful to visiting artists for the inspiration and appreciation of the arts that they bring to students,” said Preston.
Next month the Sea Otter class (ages seven to nine) and Dolphin class will be visited by accomplished landscape painter Teresa Knight. Knight has a BA in Studio Arts from the University of British Columbia and has been actively exhibiting for 25 years.
“Her coastal inspired work pairs beautifully with our Coastal Studies program,” said Preston.
For more information about Beachcombers Community School, visit their website at BeachcombersSchool.ca. For more information about programming at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, see its website at ComoxValleyArtGallery.com.
— Beachcombers Community School