Nov 15th, 2013 – Kensington Market Trip

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning

The 4th period Visual Arts and Media Arts classes visited Kensington Market last Friday to view the work of multi-disciplinary artist Moses Kofi. The students checked out Moses’ dynamic outdoor installation of ‘Robot Alien’ sculptures made of found and donated metal materials. Moses  shared his techniques, approach and his view of art making in society. The budding artists also had the opportunity to visit Moses’ dynamic studio space and see a demo of the artist at work.  Lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” and the opportunity to see street art in process.

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Nov. 5th, 2013 – Monster Madness Workshops

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning

To celebrate the changing leaves and spooky season, the grade 11 Media Arts and grade 10 Visual Arts classes teamed up for a monster-themed unit.  Brampton artist David Irvine visited the Academy and brought with him several of his original pieces, including a decorated light bulb, a table leg creature and stunningly painted jewelry boxes.  He also gave each student a print of one of his signed sketches as gifts!  Students are using his timed-limited daily art practice and creating “monsters” every class for a week using different media.  The next day, students participated in an exciting workshop at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art where they learned about the history of medieval art and gargoyles.  In the amazing basement studio, students learned techniques for working with clay and created their own unique creatures.  Once these pieces are fired in a kiln, the group will return to apply coloured glazes to finish them off.  A special thanks goes out to our volunteer and Academy alumnus Jessie for helping us with this unit.  Happy fall everyone!

Monster-A-Day workshop with David Irvine:

Gargoyle Workshop at the Gardiner Museum:

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Oct. 8th, 2013 – SPIRIT DAY: Nuit Blanche

YMCA Academy Arts, Beyond the Classroom, Student Spotlight, Technology

In honour of the annual art celebration that takes over Toronto streets every fall, we held our very own Nuit Blanche celebration this past Friday.

Students created custom-designed white t-shirts, and wore them during several special events throughout the day. Siobhan’s Grade 12 English class staged a Living Gallery performance in the morning, Todd’s Communications Technology students organized a green-screen Photo Booth at lunch, and Alexi and Siobhan’s Visual and Media Arts classes held an interactive stencil workshop in the afternoon.

Our first Nuit Blanche celebration was a big success. We plan on making it an annual event, and we’re already looking forward to next year!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

June 20th, 2013 – The Breakfast Club Play

YMCA Academy Arts, Student Spotlight

Five teenagers find themselves in the library of their high school, serving a Saturday morning detention for a variety of things they’ve done wrong.  At first, they think they have nothing in common with each other, but they find out quickly that they were wrong.  The grade 10 drama class presented a version of John Hughes’ classic 1980’s film “The Breakfast Club” to a large audience of family, friends and fans for their final project.  Congratulations to all of the actors for putting on a fine show!

April 8th, 2013 – Black History Month Project

YMCA Academy Arts, Beyond the Classroom, Student Spotlight

Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.  Rosa Parks.  Robert Johnson.  Three African American people who have contributed to society and the world in positive ways were celebrated yesterday in the YMCA Academy’s drama class production of The Black History Month Project.  Students performed a tableau and mime play that depicted pivotal events in the lives of the middleweight champion boxer, the civil rights activist and the blues musician.  Our fourth floor shared space was transformed into a theatre complete with black backdrop and lighting.  Our performance was a success!  We might take it on the road : )

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Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!