Art in Review
submitted by Frank Caracciolo, Arts Consultant for LBPSB
The 2nd Edition Arts Expo was held April 29th at Pierrefonds Community High School and let’s focus on the community part for a moment.
Roxanne Leclaire, Teacher of French and Visual Arts held nothing back in this second edition rallying the administration, staff, and students to create a wonderful evening of Arts and Interactive happenings for the students and guests. Upon entering the school, a friendly group of students gave me information and led me into the ‘Quad,’ as it is called.
The open air space formed by the Brutalist style interior, was the main gallery for the evenings event. Lined with art works from the second floor, cascading downward one felt easily immersed in the content of Madame Leclaire’s vision. Parents and proud students moved throughout the spaces and grids set up to show off over 1500 pieces of artworks, pottery, woodworking with interactive kiosks designed to allow students to explain and show off their works and efforts from the year.
I arrived early to be able to see the works before it became too crowded, as I walked through I was greeted by a young man from the eighth grade, his name was Shiva. He seemed nervous at first and of course I asked him questions about his art classes and his piece in the show. He was so kind and generous to explain about his work his interest in chess and video games, he seemed less nervous as we spoke and it was easy to hurl compliments in his direction. He stood as though he was a museum guard just waiting for people so he could explain the work displayed in his area.
He was one of many students that gave you a sense of a real community coming together.
A young lady concentrated on making stain glass, the Vision’s Program gave out free cupcakes and allowed you to decorate your own with other treats they provided. I had the great pleasure to speak with them yet another pleasurable moment as I was moved at how well and free they spoke about their program and future ideas. Students were making art and explaining the process, while other students performed live music.
All in all, I was totally enjoying the experience provided – Lori Brown the incredible Drama Teacher had just performed their show FOOTLOOSE and her students performed excerpts from the show in the auditorium, Sylvie Allard, Visual Arts teacher was on hand and seemed busy throughout the evening talking with parents as they looked at the projects. And as stated earlier, community was the focus, the amazing Dan Vanson and his Culinary Arts Students kept us fed throughout the evening with wonderful tapas style dishes prepared and served to us by the students who tirelessly ran up and down the stairs, one parent kept raving about the quality of the food, he suggested we do this for every event!
I also had the pleasure to speak at the evening’s event with Nathalie Cheff, Vice Principal at PCHS, who was thrilled and who also has been so supportive of this effort and the other recent events at the school.
Now if that wasn’t enough, I said my goodbyes to the staff and students and as I was leaving, I ran into Jack, a student at the school who was adorned head to toe in a punk like style with RESIST painted on the back of his vest.
I asked for a photo, complimented his style and he said he was in a band! I said well where are you playing and he took me immediately to a back room just off the quad area and I fell into a garage band atmosphere where four students and teacher Doug Collins were performing music.
I sat and was once again fully engaged in what was happening, ‘communities within communities,’ I thought. The young musicians could not have brought a bigger smile to me and the onlookers in the room. At 14, 15 years old they played original songs and covers of music created before they were born. With that I made my way out, me and my big dopey smile.
I again ran into Roxanne Leclaire, she said “I thought you left?” I replied “How could I leave, this was so great!”
Another great PCHS event in the books!
