The computer lab at Hillcrest School was transformed into an art gallery for three days this month.
The Hillcrest School Art Gallery Show and Sale ran from April 4 to 6. Each of the 123 students at the school created a piece of art that was placed in the gallery, and then parents or others could purchase the art.
It could be viewed and purchased during student-led conferences on April 4 and 5, and during a public viewing on April 6.
“It was an extremely successful event,” said Hillcrest School principal David Gillingham.
The art show was a partnership between the school and the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM). Hillcrest community education liaison Sara Pippus and teacher Melanie Young headed up the project on behalf of the school, including the framing, organizing and setting up of the gallery.
“It was a very professional setup down there, and highlighted the artwork,” said Gillingham.
EAGM educator Karly Garnier spent a day providing instruction for the students. Gillingham compared it to having an artist in residence.
“Then we took that artwork, framed it and hung it up in the old computer lab where parents could come down on the night of the student-led conferences and purchase some of the art as a donation to the playground revitalization project,” said Gillingham.
The school even had an official opening on March 5. Mayor Roy Ludwig and Councillor Travis Frank brought greetings from the City of Estevan. Garnier and Estevan Arts Council representative Mark Veneziano applauded the students for their efforts.
Gillingham and Waylon Klix from the school community council also spoke at the opening.
“What we had was a chance to show off to the community some of the fantastically talented kids that we have, in a different from what they might ordinarily see in the conferences, which tend to focus on academics,” said Gillingham.
When the students saw the artwork in the computer lab, Gillingham said their eyes lit up, because it looked so differently once it was framed and hanging on the walls.
“They were proud, because you could see they brought their parents down. They were seeking out their own work, and they were proud to share it with their families,” said Gillingham.
Ninety per cent of the artwork was sold as of March 6, and they had bids for the remaining selections.
“By the time we’re finished, every piece of student artwork will be enjoyed by somebody in their own home, in their office or in their workplace,” said Gillingham.
Most of the works were purchased by parents, but some selections were bought by other people from the community. A number of parents made donations, and then allowed somebody else to purchase the art.
The artwork was vibrant and colourful, he said, and very unique, as each child brought their own perspectives to the project they were working on.
Students were assigned a different Saskatchewan-based theme for their artwork, including starry skies, grain elevators, and sunrises or sunsets. The kindergartens had an “I love you” theme to share with their family members.
The art show has raised $1,755 for the playground revitalization project. Hillcrest has a playground structure already in place, but now they’re looking to create an experiential playground that will create activities for kids, without requiring a lot of equipment.
“The first thing we built was a hill, and so over the winter, kids had a chance to go sledding,” said Gillingham. “We bought a lot of sleds and so forth.”
The hill was popular during recess and lunch hour, but it was also popular with the community outside of school hours.
They’re going to incorporate a musical playground centre where kids can play large instruments. A large outdoor classroom space is in the works. They want to add a zip line that will start at the top of the hill.
Rocks and trees have also been added to the playground.
“With the rocks we’ve put in, it’s amazing how many different ways they can use rocks, but it gives them a chance to be creative in their play, and not restrictive,” said Gillingham.
Gillingham says they have an idea of the work they would like to accomplish. They will keep adding items as they can afford them, and they hope to have it finished in five years.
