Artspeak Integrated Arts Credit Program

 

2011-2012 Artspeak Sessions

 

 

ARTSPEAK SESSIONS 2011-2012

 SESSION I        Potpourri       November 14-17, 2011
In this session you will experience a sampling of all the arts: theatre, storytelling, writing, visual art, dance and music. Four different artists will share their passions and work to develop your ideas and talents, broadening the scope of your experience. This session is designed for young artists who enjoy trying a little bit of everything.  Find your form of expression as you travel through a whirlwind tour of the arts.
Artists may include: Judy Cook, Kate Ferris, Heidi Hunter, Anthony Steffes

SESSION II        Power      December 12-15, 2011
Beginning with theatre as a way of evolving ideas we will work at connecting with the power of your voice, expressing the ideas and messages you are interested in communicating.  Heather Bishop will guide you through the development of individual or group songs that are expressions of "your power".  Visual art will be used to strengthen the communication of your message.  Bring your voice to speak or sing, your instruments to play, and your passions, frustrations, protests and celebrations, to turn into art. 
Artists may include: Heather Bishop, Heidi Hunter, Anthony Steffes

SESSION III       Visions     March 26-29, 2012
Ideas, memories, dreams and fantasies will be explored using various forms of drawing and sketching, using a wide rang of techniques and styles.  Art drawn from real objects, reference images, and imagination will be explored.  Application of colour and special effects will be considered as ways of extending the drawings.  Realistic and abstract art approaches will be considered equally.  Theatre and movement will extend the ideas in visual art.  Finished matted pieces of art will form individual galleries of student work. 
Artists may include: Heidi Hunter, Judy Cook, Anthony Steffes

SESSION IV        Synergy      April 9-12, 2012
In general, synergy may be defined as two or more agents working together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the agents independently. Through the arts we will explore the force and effect of energy, both positive and negative. What happens to that energy as it is shared in a community of artists? We will consider the affects of dynamics including silence, as theatre, visual art, dance, and drumming evolve as ways of expressing our findings. How do we create energy, use it, and maintain it in our work?  This workshop is all about the power of many hands.
Artists may include: Judy Cook, Heidi Hunter, Phoebe Man, Anthony Steffes

SESSION  V     Patterns     April 23-26, 2012
A theme of recurring events or objects sometimes referred to as elements of a set of objects forms a pattern.   Beginning by exploring simple motifs or units in a pattern in art, sound, human behaviour and movement, we will move into expressions of art on paper, as well as using instruments, our bodies and voices to extend those motifs into complex patterns.  Decorative design, drumming, vocal rhythms, dance and exploring recurring themes in life all form part of the explorations at this session.
Artists may include: Judy Cook, Kate Ferris, Heidi Hunter, Phoebe Man, Anthony Steffes

 

 

 

 

Artspeak is an integrated arts credit program offered by Sunrise School Division. Artspeak exists to provide a specialized learning environment in an alternate setting to the school classroom for students who are talented in the arts. At Artspeak students use the skills they have acquired in their high schools to create, experiment, take risks, and be as open as they choose in a safe, supportive and constructive environment where they can share their talents with students from other schools in Sunrise.

 

Students who come to Artspeak are talented, curious individuals who have a desire to explore the arts in a community setting. Artspeak students are grounded individuals who are capable of functioning independently and in groups, respecting and embracing the differences among their peers. It is expected that the skill level of students will vary. The common ground at Artspeak is not so much skill, as it is a passion on the part of students and instructors to communicate through the arts.

 

At Artspeak, the program leader, Anthony Steffes, is joined by artists, actors, storytellers, musicians and dancers to provide motivation for the emergence of ideas that come from the students’ experiences. The Artspeak community explores ideas through writing, storytelling, drawing, painting, sculpture, movement and music. Students are encouraged to take risks and try new ways of seeing their original ideas, operating in an environment of acceptance and respect, pushing their “half-baked ideas” to new levels of arts enquiry.

 

Artspeak integrates all the arts in its programs. While we draw, paint, or work on design and composition, we also write about our work and discuss its “seed of truth”. Often, visual arts work will lead to physical expression and experiments with sound. Artspeak aims to be a theatre of original ideas and interpretations of existing art forms.

 

We will have approximately twenty students at each Artspeak session. Breakfast is at 8:30. Sessions begin at 9:30 in the morning and continue to lunch at 12:00. Further sessions begin at 1:00 and continue until 5:00. Supper is at 5:30. Sessions begin again at 7:00 and continue to snack time at 9:00. There is a gathering at 9:30 after snack. We break up at 10:30. Students are expected to go to sleep at 11:00, the official quiet time.

 

At the end of the session, (Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.) pieces of work are shared with each other and an audience of parents and guests invited by the Artspeak participants.


Artspeak takes place at Camp Cedarwood which is situated north east of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba. Cedarwood Camp is administered by Youth For Christ. As guests, we respect the camp rules which include no smoking, no drugs, and no alcohol. Boys’ and girls’ sleeping rooms are segregated in different sections of the building. Prayer is offered before meals by camp staff. The camp provides bunk-bed accommodation with shared washroom facilities, three meals and a late night snack daily. Cooking staff will accommodate reasonable dietary requirements and allergies. It is necessary to bring bedding, towels, and personal care products.

Camp Cedarwood

How do I earn a credit for Artspeak?

Each four-day Artspeak session involves exposure and experimentation with writing, storytelling, visual art, music, physical movement and theatre activities. While some sessions will be focused on visual art (V), or theatre (T), or music/movement (M), others will provide exposure to all areas (G).

 

Artspeak is organized into four possible full credits:

 

 

A high school credit requires attendance and successful performance at two four-day sessions. The credit received from those listed above will depend on the sessions attended and the individual student’s strengths. Students in Senior 2, 3, or 4, may take one session a year or several sessions a year, depending on their situation and course load in their high school. It is also possible to earn several Artspeak credits during your time in high school. There are no Artspeak half credits.

It is intended that each year five sessions will be offered: two general sessions (G), one music/movement (M), one theatre (T) and one visual arts focus (V). New programs are developed each year.

 

Students will receive written assessments and grades for individual sessions shortly after each session. Final grades for credit will be the average of the grades earned at the two sessions making up the credit.

Credits earned by students will be forwarded to the schools in late April 2009.

 

What do you need to do to become involved in Artspeak?

 

For more information or questions contact Anthony Steffes or Virginia Szalai at the Sunrise Education Centre
Tel: 268-6539
Fax: 268 6523