ArtsSmarts is a national initiative which was launched this year to bring teachers and artists together to promote learning through the arts in Island schools.

Education Minister Mildred Dover said ArtsSmarts has had a very positive impact in its first year. “It has created excitement among students about learning core curricula through the arts and it has inspired collaboration among artists, schools and communities,” she said. “We are most impressed with the quality and variety of the first projects, the enthusiasm of the students and the beautiful art that will remain in so many schools.”

Two ArtsSmarts projects will be on display at the Eptek Centre for the month of May. The public is invited to attend the launch of the exhibition Tuesday, May 17 at Eptek Centre at 1 p.m.

“This program is an excellent partnership which puts local artists in direct contact with educators and students helping students gain a greater understanding of the arts and helping artists promote their work and the benefits of the arts,” said Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Elmer MacFadyen. “The direct involvement of artists in the education of our young people helps to foster an appreciation for the arts which will last a lifetime.”

The Animal Habitant project was coordinated by Athena Consolidated School teacher Karen Nelson and visual artist Maurice Bernard. They worked with grade four students to explore and construct various habitats which depict wildlife that are native to PEI. Using a variety of materials and processes, the students created animals that could live in each of these habitats. The cafeteria and hallways were transformed with dioramas made of clay, wood, charcoal, pastels and paints depicting the habitats they studied. The dioramas will become a permanent display in the school. Students said that through the project, they enjoyed collaborating and learning through the arts. They said the project gave them confidence and helped them to appreciate art as a “cool thing.”

The Elm Street Elementary School project, Imaginary Creatures , was coordinated by French immersion teachers Marie-Anne Roy and Elizabeth Blake and local sculptor Rachel Ballum. Students in grades five and six language arts created gargoyles from clay and then brought their creatures to life by writing stories. Teachers were amazed by how motivated and eager the students were to work on their sculptures and especially their stories.

More events are planned to share the outcomes of ArtsSmarts projects. On May 26, Hernewood Intermediate School students will transform their entire gym and the lower floor of their school to an atmosphere of outer space which includes a 50-foot solar system mural, a ceiling map of the constellations and a song for each planet in the solar system.

Birchwood Intermediate School students will present the film they produced on the Acadian tradition, Courir la Chandeleur, at the City Cinema June 18.

During the period June 6 to 11, students at École Française de Kings-Est will present the play they produced on the historical Rollo Bay bell, La cloche de Rollo Bay.

Finally, on June 27, students from École St.-Augustin in South Rustico will record the song they wrote with Lennie Gallant on the Acadian culture and history of Rustico.

A celebration was held April 26 to launch the Beacons of Light project at West Royalty Elementary School where students created a mural, song, models and stories of lighthouses in PEI. On May 4, Spring Park Elementary School students launched the new stained glass window they made for their school with artists Debbie Thompson and Everett Johnston.

ArtsSmarts applications for the 2005-2006 school year are being accepted until November 8, 2005. Information on ArtsSmarts can be obtained by calling Vicki Allen-Cook or Lucille Fontaine at the Department of Education or Cecile Arsenault, Provincial Coordinator.