Agenda
└ Halifax
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Friday October 25, 2024
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9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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Annual General Meeting |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Devon Vankoughnett
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A1 • Explorations in Clay Sgraffito |
| During the morning portion of the day participants will use hand building techniques to create simple forms in clay. After the lunch hour, we will add coloured underglaze to our forms that we will then draw into to create sgraffito designs. Sgraffito is a ceramic technique where the painted surface of the clay is scraped away to revel the colour of the clay below. No experience is necessary to take this course, just an open mind to exploring mark making and drawing on clay. All work will be fired by me in my home kiln and available a few weeks after the conference for participants to pick up at my studio in Waverley. |
Devon Vankoughnett studied ceramics at both Langara in Vancouver and at NSCAD in Halifax. She has been a junior high and high school art teacher with HRCE for the last 15 years and currently runs the Arts Lab for ceramics and fused glass at Rocky Lake JH. She also has a home studio where she creates and sells her own work.
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Shan Liu
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A2 • Stampmaking Workshop |
| In this workshop, we will introduce basic relief printmaking methods, focusing on stamp making. In the morning, I will demonstrate image transfer, basic carving, and printing skills. We will have time for small practice pieces, such as carving leaves and making patterns. In the afternoon, we will spend time carving a larger block, and I will also briefly introduce other low-cost printmaking methods such as collagraph and Styrofoam printing. This year, I am planning to add a watercolor wet-on-wet painting activity at the beginning so that, by the end of the class, you will have the option to print on your watercolor background. I found that watercolor and stamp making complement each other well. So, just relax and have some fun. There is no need to have strong drawing skills. |
Shan Liu is a Halifax-based art educator, printmaker, and children's book illustrator. I have many years of experience working as a graphic designer. In the past five years, I have published illustrated books and become an art teacher. My favorite art mediums are watercolor, stamp-making, and collage. I am also very passionate about sharing my creative skills in classrooms and various workshops. This is my fifth time teaching at the ATA conference. I hope we will have a wonderful creative time together.
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 30
Theresa Meuse
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A3 • A Medicine Wheel Teaching |
| Participants learn to better understand how to live a balanced lifestyle by focusing on their Spiritual, Environmental, Physical and Mental well-being. The facilitator uses a PowerPoint presentation that includes interaction from participants. The workshop ends with participants creating a medicine wheel for take home. |
Theresa Meuse was raised in L’sitkuk Mi’kmaw (Bear River) community and left in 1986 to attend Dalhousie University as a mature student. Since graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree, she has been employed with several Mi’kmaq organizations including, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, The Atlantic Policy Congress and the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center. Along with being privileged to serve a two-year term as Chief in her community, Theresa also spent many years working as an Indigenous Educator and Advisor. She presently operates an online craft business, is a Knowledge Sharer and is the author of four published children’s books entitled, The Sharing Circle, L’nu’k, The Gathering and Sweet Grass. Theresa is a wife, mother of three and grandmother of four.
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 20
Britt Vegsund
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A4 • Physically active art lessons: Let's explore the possibilities! |
| In this workshop, through a hands-on and fun approach, participants will be introduced to the core concepts of physically active learning (PAL), which has been popularly defined as the "integration of physical activity into key learning areas other than physical education" (Watson et al. 2017). Through a series of example PAL lessons from across the curriculum and from across grade levels, we will explore the how PAL can support student engagement as well as increase physical activity within the school day. We will then workshop and co-design arts curriculum-based PAL lessons for future use by teachers across NS. Please come prepared to move in a non-competitive, inclusive environment, with some curriculum ideas up your sleeve for our co-design process. |
Britt Vegsund is a health promotor and educator who has been leading the NS Active Smarter Kids Project since 2018. She loves helping classroom teachers and system administrators find the joy and engagement that comes when we incorporate simple, non-competitive, and often outdoors movement into the review of curriculum outcomes - in any subject area and across all grade levels. For more on the NS ASK Project, please visit www.nsaskproject.ca.
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Sloane Rioux
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A5 • Still Life Painting from Observation |
| In this acrylic painting workshop, participants would focus on colour mixing and technical application and observational skills. Participants would be taught how to accurately translate a still life set up into a painting. |
My name is Sloane (she/her), and I am a Junior High art teacher and artist. I have a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary, and am a certified Fine Arts Specialist. In my own art practice, I am an oil painter focusing on the exploration of perception. My work includes realism and elements of magical abstraction. During my teaching practice, I am very interested in teaching technical visual art skills and exploring youth psychology and the connection of art and mental health for students.
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Angela J. Davis
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A6 • Exploring Rug Hooking |
| We will explore various rug hooking techniques by experimenting on a small kit. We will have detailed discussions on the techniques used and various ways to present and finish projects. |
| Angela J. Davis is an artist who delights in exploring various media and techniques. Davis has spent her career promoting creativity and positivity through unique approaches and 'hands on' experiences. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Dave Drapak
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A7 • Watercolour in the Art Classroom |
| Perhaps you teach painting and want to try a kind of paint that is vibrant, but less messy. Or perhaps you just want to have a hands-on day to learn the basics of colour theory, mixing, layering, and intensity control. Or you would like to learn how to use colour to express emotion. All of that, plus general art teaching tips and a watercolour painting kit for you to take home! |
| Dave has been teaching high school for over 25 years. He especially loves teaching beginners. He also thinks that writing in the third person is awkward. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Karyn Harrison
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A8 • Student-Centred Art Education: Grades 7-12 |
| Come explore how to use the power of student-directed learning to meet the needs of both students and teachers. Gain a deeper understanding of classroom practices and strategies for creating studio communities that empower all learners to make art that is uniquely theirs. |
| Karyn Harrison is a visual arts educator and researcher residing in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. She holds a doctorate from the University of Glasgow. Karyn teaches grades 7-9 Visual Arts in HRCE using a Choice-Based Pedagogy. She also instructs in the Master of Arts in Art Education program at NSCAD University. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Rita Van Tassel
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A9 • Owl See You There |
| We'll use wool blend felt to sculpt and stitch elegant perching Barn Owls. Pattern pieces will be provided and using layering, a bit of wire and embroidery floss your creation will come to life. |
| Rita has worked within the fields of Art and Craft in Nova Scotia for 20 years through both formal education and producing a series of instructional sewing kits. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 20
Brody Weaver
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A10 • The Queer Art of Activism |
| In this workshop, we will look at examples of activist and socially engaged art practise made by queer and trans artists and engage in critical discussion about the topics addressed and the form the works take. Some artists and topics will include ACT UP, the AIDS Quilt, Tourmaline, Museum of Trans History and Art, drag and fashion, and more. With these examples in mind, we will consider and brainstorm how similar examples can be integrated into high school (10-12) art classes and frameworks for the inclusion of queer and trans artists into existing curricular outcomes. |
| Brody Weaver is a white-settler media artist, educator and writer currently living and studying in Kjipuktuk (so-called “Halifax, Nova Scotia”). She has a BA in Art History and Contemporary Culture and was a Media Art Scholar at the Centre for Art Tapes in 2022-23 where she made a feature length, collaborative documentary about trans people, health care, and the depth of knowledge that this community holds. From April–September 2024, she was the Writer-in-Residence at Eyelevel Artist Run Centre. She has worked in archives and collections, academic and arts-based research, and as a facilitator for art and community-based education programs. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Linnet Finley
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A11 • Stitching Your Way to Calm in the Classroom |
| Embroidery and slow-stitching are exciting ways to explore many aspects of art and design. However, they have also been found to be incredibly restorative and have many mental health/stress reduction benefits that we all need in this day and age. Join me to learn beginner embroidery and surface design techniques in a fun, relaxed setting. I will give you an overview of the basic tools and supplies needed for embroidery, and you will learn a selection of the most useful surface embroidery stitches. In addition, we will discuss how to create and transfer your own embroidery designs and how to utilize embroidery in different ways (including visible mending and using repurposed materials). All supplies are provided in a kit that you can take home to continue your explorations in stitching. |
| Linnet Finley is a community-engaged fibre artist, educator, and mother living and working in the North End of Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. With a keen sense of colour, Linnet produces vibrant and engaging artworks executed with a practiced skill that honours the long tradition of textile and embroidery craft. A self-taught artist, she has over 20 years of experience honing her craft, and the act of "making" has always been an integral part of her life. Linnet's art practice aims to foster community by creating connections. Much of this work utilises stitching and embroidery as an approachable and comfortable vehicle to tackle more complex questions, drawing the community into meaningful conversation. "The community I am actively seeking to create is a diverse one where people's histories and stories are honoured, and their shared spaces are protected." |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Robin Jensen
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A12 • Open Studio |
| This is an open space for art educators who have ideas they would like to explore independently in a shared studio space. Some art supplies will be available for your use, including basic drawing, painting, and some printmaking materials. Please bring anything special you might need outside of those items with you. This is an opportunity to sit and focus on your own art practice, share a creative space with other art educators, or learn something new you have been meaning to try in a self-directed approach. |
| Robin Jensen has been teaching Visual Arts in Nova Scotia since 1998. She is currently a Fine Arts Specialist in the Halifax West Family of Schools, bringing arts enhancement opportunities to classrooms from grades primary to twelve. She continues to find inspiration for teaching and learning alongside the doodlers, dreamers, builders, and changemakers she collaborates with everyday in Nova Scotia classrooms. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Lynn Coolen
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A13 • Zero Skill/Zero $$$: Surviving Art in the ELEMENTARY Classroom |
| This workshop is for any teacher interested in bringing art to the classroom but has no prior knowledge, or little to no budget. This workshop will guide teachers in directions of Free or economic resources available to them, how to use simple inexpensive tools, making their own tools and materials, organizing art materials in a classroom (with no sink), how to repurpose and reuse everyday items, and other tips, tricks and tools of the trade. There will be hands-on activities, art pieces produced, lesson plans provided and other resources to take home. |
| Lynn Coolen is from Cole Harbour NS with strong roots in the south shore area of Lunenburg NS. In addition to artistic interests, Lynn is also a “crazy plant lady” and “wannabe chef”. She has over 28 years of classroom teaching experiences with HRCE. After completing her training from NSCAD, she has been working since 2016 under HRM Supplementary Funding at Halifax Regional Arts as a Fine Arts Specialist for grades P-12. Lynn’s focus is Visual Arts. She considers herself a “Jack of all trades but master of none” as she enjoys sharing her various artistic interests with the students and teachers she works with. Watercolour painting, felting, metal embossing, screen printing, sculpture, folk art and ceramics are just a few of the many art mediums and experiences she brings to classrooms. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 12
Melanie Morrissey
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A14 • Intro to Stamp-Making and Linocut Printing |
| Discover the art of linocut printing in this introductory class! Learn carving techniques, design basics, and create your own unique prints and stamps. |
| Melanie is a high school art teacher and local artist in Truro, NS. |
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Capacity: 15
Brandy Davison
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A15 • Relief Printing |
| This workshop will introduce relief carving and intaglio methods including carving block, drypoint intaglio using plexiglass. Printing will insist on using a wooden or metal spoon to transfer ink to paper from block and plexiglass. |
| Brandy Davison is a recent graduate from NSCAD, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She currently works for NSCAD Extended Studies as a teacher\TA. Her current field in the arts is printmaking, sculpture and mixed media, although she is flexible with most mediums and generally interested in teaching. |
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12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Lunch |
