Arts Collective Fall Up-Date

Fall is here welcoming the arrival of the Fern Arts Collective artist’s workshops. Latin American Drummer, Rodrigo Chavez returned to Fern to kick-start the year with a percussion workshop for four of Fern’s classes. The students spent a week learning the rhythms of salsa, samba, conga, bolero, soca and rumba followed by a performance in the auditorium. The audience was treated to the contagious Latin rhythms and sing-along performed by the students. The lively and energetic show had our students and teachers dancing and moving to the rhythms, a beautiful reminder of why the arts are so essential and rewarding to our children’s education. Thank you to Ms. Ashforth, Ms.Tse, Mr. Cline, Mr. Nilolajevic, Ms. Grant and to all of the students that participated in this incredible workshop.

We will be bringing more music to Fern this October with The Métis Fiddler Quartet's OAC “Stomp the Floor” workshop. Using fiddle music passed down from various elders, they will explore the history and culture of Aboriginal/Métis people in Canada. Participants learn traditional percussion, songs and jigging and the students will be introduced to techniques such as spoon playing and clogging.  These techniques are used to introduce them to the concept of improvisation, as the traditional accompaniment for this music is improvised. The workshop also includes Voyageur songs (en français), and Dance steps for the Red River Jig.

Four classes will be participating in this workshop with an AM and PM concert for all the students in the school. Everyone is welcome.

The concert date is tentatively set for Friday Nov. 22nd.
Ms. Desilits, Mr. Sy, Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Nikolajevic's 7's will be participating.

Returning in November is the talented visual artist Bernice Hune. Bernice specializes in Asian Heritage kites of birds and dragons. Last year the students produced beautiful kites that we displayed in the main foyer during the winter season and for our “Feliz Navidad” show. I'm sure we will all be impressed with the beauty and elegance of our students work with Ms. Hune.

Ms. Nitsis, Ms. Gaudet, Ms. Whalen and Ms. Hall’s classes will be participating.

Another exciting workshop in November is focused on dance and movement.  Peter Ryan, a critically acclaimed dancer and choreographer, will bring his talent to Fern with his "Into Orbit" dance and movement workshop. Students will learn dance and dance inspired movement and composition, from break dance to ballet involving playground balls!
Mr. Dibbon-Smith, Mr. Gelinas, Mr. Archdekin and Ms. Venn's classes will be participating.

All of our student’s at Fern will have an opportunity to benefit from an artist workshop during the school year. The Fern Arts Collective will keep you updated on future artist workshops in the upcoming months. If you know of an artist or musician that would like to come to Fern, please let us know. We are always looking for ways to include parents and the community into our school.

I'd also like to thank all the Arts Collective members who have helped bring wonderful projects to Fern. The time and energy involved in co-ordinating the workshops can be very involved. As you all know, these extra programs are only possible with the support of volunteers.

This year the message of keeping Arts alive in the school has been heard. The Art’s Collective is now 16 members strong!!! “Many hands make light work”, as the saying goes, so please consider what you can do to help strengthen and build on bringing art to Fern

Sign up to our " Volunteer Call Me List" and when we have school events we will email you. If you say yes once or twice a year, it will help contribute to enriching your child’s experience at Fern.

To sign up please email: luckytaya@gmail.com

Stay tuned for some after school performances, a new music program and a movie screening at the school with popcorn!