Northern Manitoba School Selected for Global Arts Program

Wapanohk Community School in Thompson, Manitoba, has been selected as one of only two Canadian schools to participate in the inaugural Crayola Creativity Week. The program, running from January 26 to February 1, 2024, will see Wapanohk join a global roster of 31 schools dedicated to celebrating student art and culture. The choice follows a competitive application process, with over 1,200 schools worldwide vying for inclusion.

Crayola, known for its iconic art supplies, initiated this program to foster creativity among students across various countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, the U.K., and the U.S. Wapanohk Community School, a Cree immersion institution catering to more than 500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8, stands out for its focus on Indigenous art and cultural expression.

Kirsten Svenkeson, a fourth-grade teacher at Wapanohk, spearheaded the application. She expressed surprise and excitement upon learning that her school was chosen from such a vast pool of candidates. “I didn’t think we would get chosen because I knew that it was worldwide,” she said. “But they said out of over 1,200 applicants, we were chosen.”

Celebrating Creativity and Indigenous Culture

Margot Somerville, Crayola’s Director of Product Marketing and Communications, highlighted the importance of the program in showcasing Indigenous artists and art. “Both of the schools in Canada that were recognized really showed that creativity is super important to them,” she noted. “We spend a lot of time looking at Indigenous artists in Canada and the spirit of truth and reconciliation to support educators in art and Indigenous art in Canada.”

Svenkeson emphasized the significance of arts programs at Wapanohk, which include participation in the local Festival of the Arts, student-created murals, and a Christmas coloring contest that features the winning artwork on the cover of the school’s concert pamphlet. She believes that recognizing diverse talents is crucial, stating, “I think it’s important that we showcase all student talent, not just those who are academically inclined.”

This week-long event will feature daily video link-ups with artists, authors, or public figures from Crayola, who will engage students with stories. Following these readings, students will complete creative projects inspired by the stories. The highlight of the week will be a collaborative art project, where each student will create a self-portrait on a colored background, culminating in a vibrant rainbow display within the school.

Fostering Confidence and Community

Svenkeson sees this initiative as a rare opportunity for northern schools, which often receive less recognition and fewer resources than their counterparts in southern regions. “I feel like it’s a big deal because the north doesn’t get as much recognition as those in the south,” she remarked. “The schools are getting more funding, more fun stuff coming to them — we don’t really get that up here.”

She hopes that participation in Crayola Creativity Week will empower students to express themselves through art and build their confidence. “I hope that they become more confident in themselves and their ability to create good art,” she added. “It’s still showing their identity and their unique perspectives, and I hope they just feel proud of themselves for doing something outside the box.”

Svenkeson also anticipates that the collaborative nature of the project will foster community among students across different grades. “All the grades are going to get to walk through the whole school together and see each other’s artwork,” she explained. This interaction allows students from various ages to appreciate each other’s creativity, enriching the school’s artistic environment.

As Wapanohk Community School prepares for this exciting week, the educators and students alike look forward to the global connections and creative exploration that Crayola Creativity Week promises to bring.