The Learning Zone

Hello LZ Friends!

The Learning Zone is now featuring OPEN, our annual exhibition of art by Toronto District School Board Secondary Students. It was awesome that so many teachers, parents and students came out to celebrate the opening reception with us. The opening reception featured a panel discussion where OCADU profs and students had the opportuntity to share their wisdom and advice.

OCADU profs Simon Glass and Glenn McArthur discussed the importance of tapping into the community and getting involved. The positive experience they have had teaching has been inspirational to them as artists, particularly through the opportunities for teachers and students to collaborate and learn from each other. Simon also discussed his experience starting Gallery 44 with his teacher and a group of students as a space to show their own work and explained how it grew with others from the community getting involved.

OCADU student Cayla Christiansen discussed how it is important to get out of your comfort zone, pursue things that scare you and take classes that intimate you. She discussed how often you will get the most from these experiences. She also talked about the importance of taking bits and pieces from what you learn rather then becoming a clone of your profs and the significance of finding your own voice. OCADU student Andrea Manica spoke about having fun while doing your work, working on projects that are meaningful to you and that students should take advantage of the resouces available to them while being in school.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jan Sage and Jill Patrick for their opening remarks as well as the profs and students from OCADU who participated in the panel: Pam Patterson, our moderator and co-organizer, and the panelists Simon Glass, Glenn McArthur, Cayla Christiansen and Andrea Manica. From TDSB we would like to thank Lisa Sanders: head of the steering committee which organized the exhibition, Visual Arts and Media Arts Instructional Leader, The Arts Department of the TDSB. Christine Jackson:  Program Coordinator of The Arts with the Toronto District School Board (Visual Arts, Media Arts, Drama and Dance) and Robert Murphy: Exhibition Facilitator for TDSB Arts Department. As well as the steering committee of teachers Christina Yarmol, Yolanda Mak , Andrea Rappos, Trish Boon, Tony Caputo and TDSB Intern Shannon Dickie.

The exhibition runs from May 26th- June 6th in the Learning Zone, 122 St. Patrick Street, Level 1. Our hours are 10am -6pm Monday to Friday. We look forward to seeing you!