Art Is the Literacy of the Heart: Exploring the Importance of Place in South Kamloops Secondary School Art Classes

Posted On Friday November 25, 2022

Students express themselves through multi-modes (print, visuals, drama, music, digital), and a famous educational researcher, Elliot Eisner is attributed with stating, “Art is the literacy of the heart.”

South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) Art teacher, Lisa Yamaoka, shared how she provided learning opportunities to students designed to invite them to investigate personally meaningful aspects of place. Students created acrylic paintings, shared their work in a group exhibition and published a 2023 calendar as a fundraiser for future Visual Arts initiatives at SKSS.

Inspired by significant places, South Kamloops Secondary art students interpret the concept of place as a way to connect to our community and share about their learning. The theme, Places & Spaces, focuses on artistic impressions & personal experiences of the amazing places in and around Kamloops, BC. 

After investigating personally meaningful aspects of place, students created acrylic paintings, shared their work in a group exhibition and published a 2023 calendar as a fundraiser for future Visual Arts initiatives at SKSS. The annual calendar program provides an opportunity for students to represent our community and develop their learning through a real-life experience in Visual Arts. 

On November 9th, 2022, we invited our family, friends and community to celebrate our artwork with a group of over 50 student paintings. It was exciting to gather together and enjoy the artwork created by our students. In addition to this exhibition, a collection of the images will be shared with local Seniors on display at the Residence at Orchard Walk.

For those who would like to access our 2023 calendars and postcards, contact the South Kamloops Secondary School Main office, The Art We Are, Kamloops Art Gallery Store.

Thank you for sharing progress in literacy through art on the Intellectual Development Priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Contact Us