UGDSB SHSM students explore Contemporary Art
November 8, 2023
GUELPH, ON – On November 3, 2023, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students from John F. Ross CVI and Wellington Heights SS attended the Guelph Civic Museum and the Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art Gallery. This field trip was designed to immerse students in the realms of music, history, and studio art, providing them with a multifaceted cultural experience that transcended the confines of textbooks and lectures.
During the music workshop, students learned how to use music to deliver therapeutic care. As the rhythmic beats echoed through the museum’s assembly room, students were encouraged to participate, playing various instruments that included the hand pan, tongue drum, mbira, and more. In a collaborative effort, each instrument had a set scale where no wrong note could be played. These courses empowered students to use music as a means of helping others and themselves.
At the next workshop, students visited one of the newest exhibits at the Guelph Civic Museum where they learned about local Indigenous history. As they learned from Claire Accelotta, a curriculum developer at Guelph Museums, “You don’t have to be a history major to be involved in a conversation about historical ethics. If you have an opinion, you are part of the conversation.”
For the final workshop, students visited Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art Gallery to learn about the business aspects of studio art and the initiatives of event planning. One activity that took place involved students receiving a fictional scenario where they had to practice the logistics of event planning. Event planning challenges students to think creatively and solve problems. They learn to anticipate and address issues, such as budget constraints, scheduling conflicts, and unexpected hiccups, which are valuable skills in any field.
Categories: Spotlight On Schools Tags: Arts • SHSM