From page T doing it myself” “It feels neat coming here with all the paintings and being sur- rounded by different kinds of art,” he said. scferring to sculptures by Joe Fafard, a native mask by Joe Peters and an Inuit carving by Abraham Anghik Ruben that par- tially round out an impressive col- lection of paintings and other art- work, “It's easier to get ideas.” Nishan added. “It’s neat how all different artist styles can be in one place.” Due to the work of Artists for Kids Trust executive director Bill MacDonald, Nishan and_ students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in cash-strapped District 44 can create their own art in what may be the Canadian public school system's richest artistic environment. MacDonald's pride in the gallery is reflected during a brief tour. He notes, not without reason, that the works hanging in the Artists for Kids Gallery are of the same calibre as those in Ottawa's National Gallery of Canada. The art also provides the seeds of a con- temporary art gallery for the North Shore. Revenues for the unique Artists for Kids program are generated from sales of original prints by 23 of Canada’s most renowned artists, said MacDenald. The sales. of prints, which go from $200 to $3.000 each, enable Artists for Kids to meet a $100,000-a-year budget and fund 30 programs in the visual arts. For the students, the opportu- nity to work in such a stimulating environment is often enhanced by working with the artists themselves. District 44 students have worked with sculptor Joe Fafard, famous for his life-size bronze sculpture of cows. By working with Fafard. aspiring artists can explore Fafard's work, and just as importantly, study the way he thinks, said MacDonald. “It's life-changing.” said MacDonald. “You can read about Joe in books but to work side-by- side with him is quite amazing.” MacDonald points to a summer- time week-long retreat at North Vancouver School District's Outdoor Schoo] in Brackendale with Ted Harrison, known for his colorful renditions of Arctic life. Over five days, children, MacDonald said. “learn so much about the man ~— not to paint like him, but what is an artist.” During the school year, talented children are typically pulled from their regular classes for an art pro- gram consisting of three eight-hour days with an art teacher and an artist. “Children can do more in 24 hours straight than in an entire term of 55-minute classes." said MacDonald. Some programs being an MacDonald. For example, 24 senior photog- raphers learned from prominent Vancouver photographers David and Mark Montizambert. As part of that program in the future, students may also receive 30 hours of work experience, said MacDonald. MacDonald taught art for 15 years in the district before becom- ing a consultant. He began Artists for Kids in 1989. Then, in 1991, art programs and | services were squeezed by the school district dur- ing an on-going budget crisis. But it’s not just a kick of funds that serves to dim the artistic flame in many students: the demands placed on students by a system drt puts less importance on the arts than on mainstream academic sub- jects hurts as well. said MacDonald. For students irving lo compete for an elusive place in post-sec- go beyond artistic outlet. said et tre nnttntataanteea B .aCompare at $48 ondary education, art programs must take a back seat. To meet their needs, Artists for Kids has evening and after-school courses. The mission of Artists for Kids is to build a lusting legacy for visu- al and performing arts enrichment programs for children. In the process, the program enriches the community and high- lights imaginative ways to topple educational challenges. 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