First Virtual EYAF a Hit with Families

First Virtual EYAF a Hit with Families
Posted on 03/31/2021
First Virtual EYAF a Hit with Families

A child paints with their hands.

Kenora Catholic’s annual Early Years Arts Festival looked a bit different this year. Instead of gathering at Pope John Paul II School for a day of fun Arts experiences, families participated in four separate virtual events, spread out over the month of March. Families from Kenora, Ear Falls and Red Lake were offered an array of Arts experiences that they could approach with their own interests and strengths, from the comfort of their own home.

The events took place every Sunday in March, and all of the events included an art element and a music element for families to participate in. Each week’s event began at 11:00 AM and ran for approximately 45 minutes to an hour.  During that time, families were invited into fun and interactive experiences where there were opportunities, not only to create art but also to join drumming sessions and events where they could move their bodies, tap their feet and sing along with amazing local musicians.  One event even involved a collaboration between the artist and musician where the tempo and style of the music playing in the background influenced the colour, lines and message of the art that was being created by children and families.

“The line-up of artists was absolutely amazing and the feedback we received from families was really positive.  Families told us that they relished in having an ‘event’ to look forward to and reached out afterwards to share how much their children enjoyed the activities.  I had a front row seat to my own family’s experience, and it was absolutely engaging and joyful!  Lots of creating and exploration but also a whole lot of smiles and laughter.” Shared Marnie Buffett, Early Years Coordinator for Kenora Catholic.

The first 150 children to register for each event received a free art supplies package that had everything they needed to join the local artist and musician for the morning of music, movement and creation! 

“Involvement in the Arts has a well-established impact on well-being and If ever there was a time that families needed to be gifted with a fun, cost-free Arts experience it was definitely during this time of COVID. The Arts has this wonderful way of bringing everyone into the present moment and connecting people to both their emotions and to one another.  No matter how you feel before you start, you always feel so much better by the end.  For these reasons, finding a ‘work around’ to be able to offer the festival this year was a ‘must’.  We really wanted to offer this to families, and it was just a matter of figuring out the details to be able to do so safely.” Buffett explained.

On March 7 the event was hosted virtually by École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys and featured music making, singing and painting with artist Merel van der Weilen and Kristen Malbranck.

On March 14 the event was hosted virtually by Pope John Paul II school and explored mark-making techniques with textures and tempera paint with artist Shelby Smith, Art Centre Programmer for The Muse.

On March 21 the event was hosted virtually by St. Louis Living Arts School with artists Tersoo and Natasha Tsevende and who focused on drumming, West African Story Telling and Sunset landscapes with water colour pencil crayons.

On March 28 the event was hosted virtually by St. John School and participants learned how to use music to create expressive art with artists Rhonda Beckman and Jada Siwak.

In total over 120 families participated in each event.  


Early Years Arts Festival Video Playlist


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