INNISFAIL – They are just beginning their young lives but hundreds of students from École John Wilson Elementary School were still able to seize the moment to create messages of peace and gratitude for their country’s most cherished heroes.
And each message, carefully and lovingly crafted works of art from more than 450 students form kindergarten to Grade 4, are now part of the Walk of Remembrance in the school’s pedway.
“We got the beautiful pedway with gorgeous windows and lots of art work already up there,” said Heidi Nelson, the school’s art teacher for the past three years. “Usually we have all our art hung up in the gym for assembly but because we can’t do an assembly this year I thought it would be a neat way for the kids to see each other’s art work, and have this sort of art gallery feel.”
Nelson said the students in this COVID pandemic year have been focusing on the seven elements of art and she wanted to focus this study for a Remembrance Day project.
“We have a variety of different mediums. We’ve got collage. We’ve got water colour, and some toodie and 3-D art, some charcoal and paint. Just a huge variety,” said Nelson, adding the young students began their art projects before Halloween. “They are amazing artists. They are so incredible, hardworking, listen well and the art they produce is amazing.”
As for the many deep and dark social, historical and emotional overtones that come with Remembrance Day, Nelson said it’s was proven it was not too early to introduce the sacrifice and valour concepts to the students, who range in age from five to nine years old.
“I think it is really important and I think part of Canada’s heritage is Remembrance Day and learning about wars and how to create peace,” she said, noting one of the displays depicts kindergarten kids holding their hands outs with poppies along with the caption, ‘Peace is in our hands’. I think all of our anti-bullying messages and all of the things we do with kindness is part of Remembrance Day for kids at an elementary level.”
“I don’t think the kids really understood the scope of it at the beginning, and I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it at the beginning either,” she added. “But as it came together lots of the staff members commented how powerful it is to see the kids’ art work representing such an important day of the year, and just how powerful it is for the kids to be part of Remembrance Day and continuing the heritage of remembering on.”
And when it came time for their work to be hung in the pedway the kids not only knew they had completed another school project they also knew how important it was to give their hearts out to those before them, and to give them special acknowledgement on Remembrance Day.
"The kids are so proud to see their art work up. I think sometimes they are so shocked to see how talented they are too,” said Nelson. “They are so proud of themselves. I think also they are so proud to be part of something so important, like Remembrance Day.”
Here is a video of the John Wilson Elementary School students' A Walk of Remembrance project created by art teacher Heidi Nelson.
