ELORA – Trees are resilient creatures. Despite the storms that come, they decide to sprout new leaves each season and try again. They focus on deepening their roots and know that today will pass and the future is ahead of them.
Healthy and strong trees give back. They nurture humans. Their root systems connect with other trees and they support each other. They have learned the value of peace and quiet.
Humans can learn so much from the resilient attitude of trees. That is why See the Forest Through the Trees: A Youth Exhibition in Support of Mental Health was developed for students across Wellington County.
It is a call for student artists to consider what can be learned from trees, and how they can teach the life-changing skill of resilience.
Student submissions will be juried and top selections featured in an exhibition in the gallery at the Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA).
“We wanted to develop an engagement and outreach program with students in our community to help mainstream the mental health conversation,” said Sheila Koop co-chair of the Elora Centre for the Arts.
“The more opportunities we give kids to consider sources of strength, healing and encouragement, the better.”
Students are challenged to submit paintings, photography, poetry or sculpture that recognizes the resilient attitude that humans can learn from trees.
High school students from Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) went on a “tour of trees” led by several knowledgeable tree leaders from the community.
“We wanted to teach the students about some of the wonders of trees and inspire their creativity by showing them some of the trees from last year’s Tour the Trees Cycle Ride,” said Toni Ellis of Neighbourwoods. CWDHS teacher Bobbi Reynolds has spearheaded the process in the high school and inspired students to think about resilience and the importance of practising it for mental health.
“I am so proud of the students for the careful consideration and thoughtfulness that has gone into their ideas,” Reynolds said.
“It’s so important to provide an outlet for creative expression, and this program is a great fit for what we are trying to reinforce with students.”
Elementary students are also being inspired by trees through an outreach program organized by the Elora Centre for the Arts.
The goal is to “take art on the road” and create at-school art workshops for students lead by Arts Educators from ECFTA.
“Often the cost of renting a bus to go on a field trip is prohibitive, so we wanted to go to them” said Judy Anderson from ECFTA.
All selected student art will be featured in the exhibition, which officially launches with an opening reception on June 1 from 2 to 4pm.
Families, friends and community members are invited to attend to support the student artists.
Prizes will be awarded for top entries, and announced at the opening reception. Refreshments will be served, admission is free. The exhibition runs from May 30 to June 23.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between Elora Centre for the Arts and Neighbourwoods, with support from Upper Grand District School Board Student Support Services, YouthTalk and Fergus Educational Services.
The program was made possible through grants from the Centre Wellington Community Foundation and the Ken Danby Legacy Fund at the Guelph Community Foundation.
