Art Helps Build Community at Adelaide Event
It began with a chat among colleagues Maria Marino and Amanda Wagner about how to create an art tradition at Adelaide Hoodless elementary. What could the teachers do to engage the community to celebrate the arts at the east-end school?
The chat became a plan and momentum began to build.
The school held its first Art Auction on May 19, during its annual Open House. Students submitted art that they created using technology, print, canvases, clay, paper, wood and other materials. Supplies were paid for with fundraising and donations – with big thanks to the Home and School Association, the HWDSB Foundation’s grant and the entire Adelaide team.
“With the funding support we had, we were able to invite students to create art in ways that we could not normally afford with our school budget,” teacher Maria Marino said.
The auction gave students a platform to showcase their creativity, critical thinking skills and community engagement. Run by student and parent volunteers, the auction invited attendees to bid on artwork they liked with all of the proceeds supporting next year’s exhibit.
The project met two significant goals: promote the Ontario Arts Curriculum and engage community members to support a sustainable art tradition.
Next year, Marino said, the event will evolve.
The auction was so popular that it had the two cashiers very busy at times; next year, six to eight cashiers would be more appropriate. And it may rebrand as an Art Gallery not an auction, so that everyone feels welcome and included.
Updated on Wednesday, May 25, 2016.