Selkirk Art Club

The Changing Seas, Coral Reef Mural  2021

As a class, we discussed the bleaching of coral reefs around the world. The students learned about the impacts of climate change, rising sea temperatures, acidification, pollution, and overfishing on marine life.  Art students created pencil and pencil crayon studies of ocean species, painted vibrant watercolor and acrylic images, then studied the intricate structures of corals and created 3D sculptures of them. Students were visually expressing the stunning beauty and fragility of the coral reefs with these detailed studies of both coral and ocean species. It is my intention as an art teacher, that this work will inspire all students attending Selkirk Secondary to hold reverence for the oceans, coral reefs, and species that rely on them and to reflect on the impact of humans on these ecosystems.

Mrs. McCuaig

Selkirk Secondary School, Art Teacher

 “I loved creating the different types of corals. I actually learned a lot about corals while researching the different coral types I could sculpt.  I also appreciate the message of the mural to keep the world's most important and diverse ecosystem alive."      Declan

“It was a really cool group activity, because of the way that we all made things on our own and in the end brought them all together to make and amazing art project for our school."      Eli

Article in the BC Art Teachers' Journal 2021

Selkirk Mural Project, Fisher Peak  2015

“This project was funded by an NSG Creative Spark grant disbursed by ArtStarts in Schools and funded by Columbia Basin Trust, through the Kootenay Columbia Cultural Alliance.”

Artist and Art educator, Helen Robertson worked collaboratively with Lena McCuaig, the Art teacher at Selkirk Secondary School, and the Art students to create a ceramic mural. The tile mural project involved the students from Grade 8 to12, as well as the Art club, with each student individually making a ceramic tile in order to complete a large mural that enhances the hallway in the school. The mural was added to the existing art displayed throughout the school, particularly highlighting the Art room wing. The project has an environmental theme exploring the Rocky Mountain Trench, along with its local vegetation. Students expressed their knowledge and understanding visually, of the local habitat as well as their developing understanding of the ceramic process through creating a ceramic tile.  Ceramic Art learning objectives enabled students to experience slab work, carving, underglaze and glazing techniques, firing and cementing/grouting their artwork. 

“I enjoyed working together with my peers, because it was interesting to see everyone’s different styles and approaches in creating the tiles.”
- Katrina, grade 11 
“I think this is a good project, because we came together as a class to create something that the whole school can enjoy and there is a bit of each of us in it.”
- Eilish, grade 10 
“The project gave us a sense of community within the school. It felt like we were part of the school and not just going to school.”
- Silas, grade 12
“It felt like we were a team, and I really felt like I had input to give.”
- Nicklaus, grade 12
“Teamwork is very useful in creating a massive project. I learned that after working at something very hard, that there was a huge satisfying reward knowing that we made that.”
– Stan, grade 10