June 3, 2016
PHOTO CAPTION: Students Gracie Li (Grade 7), left, and Keaton Baillie (Grade 5) pose with Principal Nick Frankovich.
A PAIR OF students from Charles R. Beaudoin Public School won awards and a showing of their artwork in a recent art exhibit held at the renowned Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.
Gracie Li (Grade 7) received the Garden Clubs of Ontario Judges Choice Award and Keaton Baillie (Grade 5) received the Lee Valley Award for Best in Show for their entries into the Triennial Flower Show exhibit. Their pieces were comprised of seeds, such as kidney beans, depicting an Aboriginal theme.
The Triennial Flower Show, hosted by Garden Clubs of Ontario and titled, Art Through the Ages: a Floral Journey, was held June 14-16. This prestigious flower show presented more than 75 Canadian and internationally-recognized floral artists including works from Li and Baillie as well as other students. The art ranged from the Stone Age through to 21st century Contemporary Canadian including First Peoples of the New World, Medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau.
Li said she is happy to have received an award and appreciates that art allows a person to be “expressive”. Baillie said he learned the importance of lines to give art form.
Susan Suter – a well-recognized botanic installation artist who has travelled the world showcasing her art – and Beaudoin Grade 5 teacher Michelle McKenzie were instrumental in helping students prepare their art the past several weeks for the RBG exhibit. Principal Nick Frankovich noted the school looks for partnerships and initiatives to create a full learning experience for students.
Beaudoin Grade 4-8 gifted students studied art from the ancient western world. They produced Inuit, Native North and South American, Aztec, Mayan and Inca mosaics constructed entirely out of botanic material. Seed by seed they meticulously crafted their work.
“They were exceptional and quite breathtaking,” Suter said.
Students were provided an opportunity to see their artwork on display. While visiting, they learned about significant periods of art history as they toured the art gallery of floral designs; they also received a botanic watercolour lesson.
“Charles R. Beaudoin Public School students and the Halton District School Board have a lot to be proud of,” Suter said. “It was a true pleasure to have been a part of this learning experience.”
Beaudoin Principal Nick Frankovich agrees the school and students should be proud of their accomplishment.
“It was exciting to see the passion of students conveyed through their art,” he said, complimenting the work of Suter and McKenzie. “It makes us feel extremely proud.”