Families enjoyed a night at the Vancouver Art Gallery engaging with artwork from Grade 6 and 7 students from Cunningham Elementary. The artwork is tied to the current Firelei Báez exhibition at the gallery. 

Student work included collages, abstract watercolour paintings and stop motion animations running on several screens. Vancouver artist, Yunean Perez in the Artist in Residence Studio (AIRS) program, worked with classroom teachers to develop art lessons where students explore themes of identity, movement and transformation through their art. 

In preparation for their projects, students visited the Vancouver Art Gallery last month to study the work of Firelei Báez, which is currently on exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. One characteristic of Firelei Báez’s work is her method of making map collages, where she layers colours and images over old maps. 

Students recreated their own version of a map collage. Sarah, Grade 7 student at Cunningham, used her art to talk about the places she grew up in — the Philippines, Dubai and now Vancouver. She allowed for accidents in her work as she learned to let the medium control her art process and even let another student splatter ink on her canvas. She considers these elements as “happy accidents,” as the ink splatter reminded her of ocean sharks and ships, elements that spoke to her since she has always lived close to the ocean. 

“As time goes on, I find it really fun to be creative and you have time to reflect on who you are and what makes you, you,” says Sarah. 

When asked about his favourite artwork, Grade 6 student, Theon, exclaimed enthusiastically, “I really liked working with natural plant and fruit dyes. The paint is made with grapes and flowers.” 

Yunean Perez, who created the inks with grape, purple cabbage, onion and Marigold flowers, says, “The inks were a little bit of magic to the students. Students enjoyed seeing how different materials could become dyes and the chemical processes behind them. They modified colours of the inks and that really captivated their imagination.” 

Holly Paris, vice-principal at Cunningham, says she is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the AIRS pilot program. 

"We greatly appreciate the immersive experience that Yunuen has created both here at the gallery and during her workshops at school. What I loved most in being part of this residency is that students were able to explore various mediums and processes, with each activity designed to be accessible and engaging for all."