‘It makes me feel happy’
Athena Consolidated School shows students’ artwork to build confidence, pride and safe spaces
A look of pride flashes across Liam Trainor’s face as he looks at his drawing hanging on the wall.
Liam’s picture is one of multiple artworks on display at Athena Consolidated School’s gallery wall.
“It makes me feel happy when I see my picture on the wall. Also when people see my picture because they’ll call me an artist.”
Liam, a Grade 2 student at Athena, has autism and drawing has been an important outlet for him.
“I like to be imaginative. I like to draw Mario. It’s important kids get to see art and new pictures when they go on the wall.”
The “art wall” idea started when principal Jerry MacAulay and guidance counsellor Krista Newman recognized a need for an artistic outlet for students.
“Last year I was working with a student and they shared with me they were artistic. They showed me some of their work and brought in a portrait of someone. I decided to put the picture on display because I wanted to showcase the student’s talent.
“It got so much attention Jerry suggested we make a wall for all to see. So, now I have students submitting pictures and paintings come in all the time. I try to switch them up every month.”
Newman says the gallery wall has been a great addition to the school.
“Students love submitting their art and then seeing them up there. As a guidance counsellor, having kids involved in activities, whether it’s drawing and creating art, music, sports or other, it’s the most important thing.”
Athena Consolidated has a sports and athletics program along with music and band classes and groups, but no outlet for those who like to draw, paint or sketch, until now.
“We’ve also seen that, for some students, it’s an outlet for their feelings and emotions and can be good for their mental health.
“At Athena we work on the four zones of regulations, which is a way to teach students about self-regulating their feelings and understand why they are feeling those emotions at a particular instant. This wall has helped with that.”
Grade 6 student Allie Morrell’s drawing of a dragon currently hangs on the wall, she says she’s proud to see it on display.
“I get excited when I see people looking at it. I feel pride for other students who get to show their art up on the wall too.”
Alexis Schurman, a Grade 9 student, said the art wall is an important feature in the hallway. “My classmates would see me doodle, but no one really knew I liked to draw all the time. Sometimes I’ll spend hours after school just drawing in my room. Having this art wall is really special because we don’t all fit into sports or music, sometimes our brains aren’t wired that way. Sometimes the only way is to draw or paint or sketch.”
Schurman deals with anxiety, when she draws it’s like the anxious feelings drain away.
“Drawing keeps my head screwed on. If I’m stressed or whatever I’m feeling drawing helps. It’s a huge outlet for me.”