Arcylic painting by G.C. Huston's Junior Kindergarten class was one of the many displays of artwork on show.

Hub Staff

It was an evening of art, music and good food at G.C. Huston Public School in Southampton as they hosted an Art Extravaganza June 21 where people were encouraged to go on an 'Art Walk' through the school’s hallways which were filled with various displays of students’ art work.

Guests at the school enjoyed a tasty fish fry, cooked up by members of the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, before wandering through the school to view a multitude of different art projects created throughout the year.

G.C. Huston teacher Enid Johnson said it had been a busy year at the school with art, making special mention of the school’s Bimaadzwin project. Bimaadzwin is the Ojibway word for the Good Path and classroom doors throughout the school depicted the seven Grandfather Teachings.

See: G.C. Huston is on Bimaadzwin, the Good Path

Johnson said from that project things evolved and they wanted to do something to focus more on art. “We always do academic work, we always celebrate the sports things but we never really celebrate the art,” she said.

“We were really lucky this year, we had a lot of artists come from the art school to work with classes,” said Johnson, adding that the artists had really inspired the students, making them realize they had talent.

Work from every class at the school was on display with students art also available to purchase through a silent auction which was held during the evening. Johnson said that money raised from the silent auction would go towards purchasing more art supplies. “You realize for some kids that [art] is their way to express and they totally need that.”

Johnson said that plans for next year’s Art Extravaganza are already underway and although nothing has been finalized she said one of the ideas was to have an art battle where students would have a certain amount of time to paint something, possibly working with a professional artist.

G.C. students were also giving guided tours of the art work on display, in particular the Bimaadzwin doors. “We've got some beautiful pieces of art that are on display,” said G.C. Huston Principal Dan Russell. He added that the Bimaadzwin doors now all have QR codes posted on them that link to video descriptions.

“We have our introductory video that talks about the Bimaadzwin door project, kind of gives a little intro and then each of the doors themselves have a QR code, so as you walk through you scan the QR code and it brings up a separate video specifically for each door,” explained Russell, adding that QR code readers were free apps and easy to download onto people’s phones “What we're trying to do is encourage people to come in at another time, just scan it and learn about each of the Grandfather Teaching doors.”

Also on display at the school were three murals from Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) that were created earlier this year, depicting First Nation teachings and the importance of water, featuring the phrase ‘Water is Life.’

See: Week-long collaboration culminates in a grand unveiling at SDSS

“[The panels are] all connected and they're absolutely beautiful,” said Russell.

The evening also provided an opportunity to enjoy the school band’s last performance of year under the tutelage of G.C. Huston’s music teacher Meryl Gillmore.

Gillmore who retires at the end of the school year after 31 years of teaching, 12 of which have been at G.C. Huston, said it was bittersweet. “It's a sad moment for me because I am leaving them and they have meant a whole lot to me this year,” she said of her students. The band at G.C. consisted of students ranging from Grades 4 to 8. “It's pretty amazing what they've been able to do this year.”

Gillmore said that music had given her focus, a career, a place of refuge and a lot of joy and friendships in her life. “I hope that these students will go on and continue and find that joy and passion in their life as well,” she said.

Two of the seven Grandfather Teaching doors at G.C. Huston Public School. Left, Minaadendmowin – Respect and right, Dbaadendiziwin - Humility.

On the left, QR codes on each of the Bimaadzwin doors scan through to a video explaining the meaning of each one. On the right, Principal Dan Russell stands by a piece of art work on the walls of the school with two of the evening's Art Walk tour guides, G.C. Huston Hawks, 9 year old Kaydence (left) and 11 year old Harmony.

The first of three murals on display created by G.C. Huston and SDSS students with the help of Indigenous artists and activists Christi Belcourt and Isaac Murdoch depicting the importance of water and First Nation teachings.

A second panel in the mural project.

The third panel in the mural project by SDSS and G.C. Huston art students, led by Christi Belcourt and Isaac Murdoch.

Students work was available to bid on during the evening's silent auction with money going in support of next year’s art programs.

A variety of unique art work created by G.C. Huston students was on display at the school.

It was the last performance of the school year for the G.C. Huston band led by soon to be retired music teacher Meryl Gillmore (front centre).

Saugeen Shores firefighters were on hand and cooking fish for the school's fish fry.