Art Soup Workshops Connect Grand Erie Students with Local Artists

Caption: Students participate in a dance class as part of Art Soup

Grand Erie District School Board’s Art Soup workshops aim to expose junior students to a range of artistic disciplines, with a recipe for success that includes connecting them to working artists in visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.

Taking place in secondary schools in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk over two days this week (February 1-2), Art Soup invites students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to participate in workshops presented by local artists. Each day concludes with a talent showcase, where students highlight what they’ve created or learned.

“While there’s been an emphasis on math and technology in education recently, we know that exposure to, and participation in, the arts leads to student achievement in many areas – both academically and personally,” said Randy Ongena, Chair of the Art Soup committee and Vice Principal at River Heights School. “By partnering with professional artists in our communities, students are able to learn about possible career paths.”

Scheduled on secondary school turnaround days, following exams, Art Soup also aims to increase junior students comfort level with, and connections to, secondary schools in their respective communities. Art Soup gives each student an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the building as well as the facilities offered within.

Art Soup ties directly to Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan and its focus on Success for Every Student. The event meets the Achievement indicator goal of “increasing student understanding of effective learning strategies and how to use them,” as well as the Community indicator goal of “celebrating the partners whose contributions enhance the experiences of our students.”

The first Art Soup workshop begins at 9:45 a.m. each morning, while the talent showcase takes place at 1:30 p.m. each afternoon.

Thursday, February 1 – Art Soup Schedule:

• Location: Dunnville Secondary School
  • Participating Elementary Schools: Caledonia Centennial Public School, Fairview Avenue Public School, Grandview Central Public School, and Thompson Creek Elementary School

• Location: Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
  • Participating Elementary Schools: Agnes G. Hodge Public School, Mt. Pleasant School, Ryerson Heights Elementary School, and Walter Gretzky Elementary

Friday, February 2 – Art Soup Schedule:

• Location: Valley Heights Secondary School
  • Participating Elementary Schools: Houghton Public School, Langton School, Port Rowan Public School, and Walsh Public School

• Location: North Park Collegiate and Vocational School
  • Participating Elementary Schools: Cedarland Public School, Centennial-Grand Woodlands School, École Confédération, and Greenbrier Public School