'Out of Our Minds,' 2010. Acrylics on Canvas. 30ft. X 40ft. SD68, Nanaimo, BC.
Are schools killing creativity?
Youth who were pushed out of conventional school systems shared how creativity became essential to their growth and sense of possibility
One hundred people—including students, educators, school leaders, and board members—reflected on the role of creativity in learning. At the center of this project were students from special education programs who had been excluded from mainstream schools due to behavioral or attention-related challenges. Through writing, movement, music, and painting, they expressed how creativity supported their growth. The final mural was unveiled at an education conference in Nanaimo featuring keynote speaker Sir Ken Robinson.
Social Arts Lead: Melanie Schambach
Partner Organization & Funded: School District 68
"This is not a mural, this is a voice"
“To calm down, all I need is some music. There are no opportunities like these (in school).”
"Just breath"
"You can't see me. I matter."
“I don’t know my language. I don’t know my culture. Coming from two cultures is a big thing. I want to learn more. No one is making the effort. We need to do something if we want to create change”
“Being alone is like being blind. Not being able to see that good of what is infront of you”
"One more brick on the wall"