January 2020 was a very serious flu season in Manitoba, and so I was already adjusting many of the
practices that I use in my school printing workshops, like more hand washing and less sharing of tools. I
was in a school at the end of February when COVID19 was making itself know in our parts of the
country. As we continued in our deepening understanding of how it spread, I couldn’t imagine how I
would be able to continue doing these workshops in person. I did some workshops on line but the only
satisfaction I got out of it was knowing that the students were getting an art experience, but I couldn’t
really participate in their joy of discovery.
Fast forward to Feb, 2021 and Waverly Park School in Brandon Manitoba had me come in person. We
carried out very thoroughly thought- out procedures to ensure the safety of all participants. It was a lot
more work for the adults, and the students were considerably more constrained in their movements,
but the experience was successful for everyone! They couldn’t make their own paint palettes and they
couldn’t crowd around to compose our final mural, but they were very happy to have the opportunity to
discover a new art form and artist.
After making a collection of mono-prints students explored the work of Joan Miro. Then they created
their own creatures using their print collection. Each student’s work was combined into a bulletin board
mural for viewing by the whole school.
The photos included were taken with permission to share. The work is that of the grade 3 and grade 4
classes of Waverly Park School in Brandon Manitoba. A big thanks to Sandra Town who was lead
organizer and to all of the grade 3, 4 teachers who participated to make this workshop in a challenging
time, a great success.
