Exploring Culture Through the Arts

By Mr. Jamie Caton, Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher 

On Friday, April 17, during Arts Week, our Junior School was filled with creativity and hands-on learning as students from kindergarten through grade 7 engaged in a series of cultural arts workshops and demonstrations.

The Vancouver Cantonese Opera Society, led by Rosa Cheng, gave students a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at this traditional performance art, which has a history of over 300 years and is recognised as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Combining music, drama, dance, expressive movement, and elaborate costumes, Cantonese opera tells powerful stories through highly stylized performance. With the help of grade 6 volunteers, students observed live makeup demonstrations and costume dressing, transforming part of the library into a backstage opera setting.

A special thank-you to Joanna (6JC), Ethan (6JC), Sophie (6AA), and Colton (6JD), who showed patience and respect as they were transformed into fairy princesses, soldiers, and other mythical characters.

In the art room, students enjoyed a beautiful Sogetsu Ikebana demonstration led by experienced practitioners Romy Chan and Tsukasa Takagi. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has a history of over 600 years and is often described as the art of making flowers come alive. A key principle of ikebana is that balance, space, and simplicity are just as important as the flowers themselves, with empty space playing an intentional role. Students were able to see these principles of art brought to life as arrangements were created in real time.

Alongside this, grade 7 students and faculty took part in a lunchtime ikebana workshop, gaining hands-on experience in this traditional art form.

Together, these activities offered students a rich opportunity to learn about different cultures through art, making for an inspiring and memorable experience for all involved.