YRDSB 2024 Student Work Exhibition

In 2024, the McMichael worked with 113 students from four schools across the York Region District School Board. From January through March, students met once a week, working with artists Mo Thunder and Eklipz, McMichael Educators, and Volunteers.

For the final session, the McMichael team travelled to participating schools where the V.O.I.C.E.S students led their peers through a Signature Studio program. 217 students from nine classes participated in the final session of the program.

Artwork created by participants during the program can be seen below. This year’s project encouraged students to look closely at the work by members of the Group of Seven and contemporary artist Marcel Dzama. Students were asked to reflect on past experiences and future aspirations to create a unique personal narrative using mixed media on canvas. They were encouraged to use what they had learned throughout the program to create these artworks. Some students have included an artist’s statement to accompany their work, guiding the viewer to a greater understanding of the thought process behind their creation.