HSS Alternative Ed Partners with Amani Acres
The Hagersville Secondary School Nations/NuVision Alternative Education classroom is located in the village of Ohsweken, on Six Nations Territory. Every Monday, some of the girls in our class and I head up to Amani Acres in Brantford. At the farm, we do plenty of things like arts and crafts, painting, yoga and balance exercises, journal writing, and drinking tea or hot chocolate in the healing room. One week, we even went outside and smashed plates to release anger and frustration.
Most weeks, we have time to work with the horses in the stables or the arena. We are learning to express ourselves through this work with the horses. Other weeks, we just go for hikes along a trail near the farm. We really like this chance to get out into the fresh air instead of just sitting in a classroom. Our group sessions will continue until June and the boys are hoping to start their own group before the end of the semester.
The clay sculptures, are inspired by the work of Joe Fafard who focused some of his works on the personality of his subjects rather than likeness. Therefore, the students had to use the pinch pot method of construction and created their sculptures with a focus on showing pose and personality. Once these pieces have dried to the greenware stage they will be fired in the kiln. The last step will be glazing and a final firing to set the glaze.