Move over Picasso. The major exhibition of Picasso works is not the only exciting art show that opened in the city recently. Grade 8 students from Second Street Junior Middle School presented SHAZAAM!, an exhibition of student art work featuring self portraits in photography with spoken word. The show is the culminating work of a multi-faceted project the students had participated in, created by Lakeshore Arts, and delivered with the support of community artists, Humber College, Toronto Culture and the CyberArts students at Lakeshore CI.
The project involved grade 7 and 8 students, each grade participating for 6-8 weeks during the school year. This innovative literacy and arts education program saw students work with professional artists to explore various artistic fields, including digital photography, animation, drama, storytelling and spoken word.
“The students not only developed and enhanced their skills in the Arts, but SHAZAAM! also allowed them to explore who they are as young people in society today,” said Principal Cheryl Howe. “They focus on issues, themes, feelings and challenges that are important to them, and they make choices and express themselves in less traditional ways,” she added. Social Justice themes figured predominantly in the art works.
The show ran from May 1 – 30, 2012 at Lakeshore Art Gallery.