Spirit Banner Project
In celebration of the spirit of the 2010 Olympics, students in School District 42 have designed and hand-painted banners which will be displayed throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows in the Spring of 2008. With guidance from artist Lisa Lake, 18 schools with an estimated 716 students have participated in this project. Now that the hard work is done, it's time to see the banners!!
The Spirit Banner Exhibit
April 19 - 26
Reception April 25, 3 - 5pm
The Maple Ridge Art Gallery
11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge V2X 6G1
Banners will be hanging in the MRAG April 19 - 26
"WOW! Thank you so much Lisa! You're AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
I love each banner - the color, the design, the everything!
Thanks again for working with our students!!"
Linda Dyck
Principal, Blue Mountain School
Webster's Corners School
February 29, 2008 - A Project Update from Lisa Lake
Now that the painting workshops are underway, its wonderful to see the images come to life in color. At some point in every workshop, I casually mention to the students that the paint is translucent: the light shines through it and makes the colors glow. When I suggest they take a look from underneath to see this effect, there is always a magic moment when the impact of the color hits them, "WOW!".
There is so much pride being generated for students and their schools. Often I hear students proclaim, "we are going to be famous!". And their pride shows in the care and concentration they are taking in painting. It is actually fairly challenging to paint the banners because the fabric trembles with every touch of every brush. They are doing a great job.
And what about when banner designs are chosen from children who are timid or lacking confidence? What a wonderful gift for these students. Teachers have described to me how they can see these particular students blossoming from the experience.
Teachers and parents know the kids will always remember the 2010 Winter Olympic celebrations with their special contribution. The kids think it was great fun and they "want to do it again". What certainly will be fun for students, teachers and families will be the hunt when each group will be on the lookout to find out where their banners fly.
December 20, 2007 - A Project Update from Lisa Lake
As the mural workshops for The Spirit Banner Project draw to a close, and I gather a thousand drawings on many rolls of paper, I am able to more clearly imagine the final 90 banners. It is exciting to visualize the final product, but also interesting to look back on the experiences that occurred during the drawing and sketching portion of the project.
 A realization that I have had during the drawing stage of this project is that the work of the "art stars" will not necessarily be the most effective designs for the banners. Often the most powerful shapes and freshest lines have been made by students who are not known for their artwork. In fact, on more than one occasion when I have commented on a great drawing to the teacher, the teacher has told me that the student behind the drawing suffers from lack of confidence. I am looking forward to coming back to some of these classrooms to surprise these artists who don't expect to see their work on a banner!
An unexpected result of leading workshops for 660 students in 3 1/2 weeks is the effect of giving a large number of students access to drawing instruction over a short period of time. I didn't expect to make much of an impact on these students' drawing abilities in one workshop but as I walked around the classroom explaining and showing basic sketching techniques, I was amazed with their enthusiasm and the results I saw. Often I was in disbelief and would ask if they really have never drawn that way before. Since I may never see these students again all I could do was encourage them to keep practicing these skills. I suppose with such a large number of students a percentage are ready to pick up, even in one brief lesson, drawing habits that will allow significant growth in their abilities.
Overall the approach of the mural format has served its purpose. What I wanted from the students is a free flow of ideas, freedom from page limits, and the opportunity to work together. I gave students references and time to research their chosen Olympic sport, then let them draw their ideas about the Olympics coming to BC. I let them use detail and shade to their hearts content because it lead to better drawings and helped them understand the image they were creating. I made my job adjusting the drawings to work in the banner format, and I warned them I may edit their drawings so every detail may not be included. In fact, I am able to edit together an image to include more than one artist. I am always struck by the genius of children's art: especially their capacity for expression, but often I notice children don't realize how effectual their art is. My job of editing over 1000 feet of drawings is a pleasure for me as an artist and art educator. It's an opportunity to showcase quality children's art in our community.
-Lisa Lake
The Spirit Banner Project is Sponsored by:
District of Maple Ridge
City of Pitt Meadows
Meadowridge Rotary
Haney Rotary
Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association
In Partnership with:
Spirit of BC Community Committee
School District 42
Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Art Council |
