INNISFAIL – A signed print from a beloved Canadian artist and naturalist will grace the walls of École John Wilson Elementary School in recognition of the hard work of the school's art students.
The print of the painting Winter Gathering, has been gifted to the school by Robert Bateman and The Robert Bateman Centre from Victoria, B.C. because last school year the art program, under the guidance of art teacher Ruth Handford, learned about the artist in an in-depth, year-long study.
Handford said kindergarten to Grade 4 students participated in the year- long study of the living Canadian artist.
In addition to learning about the artist, his life, philosophies and his techniques, the study included students doing their own work inspired by Bateman. That work culminated in a colourful mural that featured a portrait of him and other homages to his famous nature scenes.
“In June the work was so amazing … I decided he should see some of the work,” Handford said. So she sent a message to the Robert Bateman Centre, along with pictures, and the centre staff sent it to Bateman himself.
The artist reached out with his own message. Handford decided to ask the centre for a poster or something similar she could display.
But instead, the school was offered a signed, limited edition print.
“He actually wrote a personalized note from home,” she said.
The students are thrilled to have their work acknowledged by the artist, she said.
Each year she picks an artist for the in-depth study. This school year's topic is American artist Georgia O'Keeffe but added it was particularly neat to have a living Canadian artist to study in light of the sesquicentennial celebrations this year, said Handford.
“In our 150th year, he was a great study for us,” she said.
The students are now experts on Bateman, she said.
Examples of the way in which they learned about Bateman and were inspired by him are birds. They drew and painted birds, and could be spotted outside with their sketchbooks looking to capture their feathered friends in art.
“The kids became bird watchers,” Handford said.
The print, which the school had framed, features horses in a snowy field. Handford said it's particularly appropriate for an Alberta school given the winter and agriculture themes featured.
It hasn't been decided yet where the print will be displayed, but the school did hold a large assembly to present it to the students.
Ruth Handford, art teacher
"In our 150th year, he was a great study for us. The students are now experts on Bateman."
