By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Clown noses, an acoustic guitar and some blank newsprint were among the tools that helped Davidson students bring their creativity to life last week.
On Wednesday, the school hosted its annual visit from the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange, bringing a team of six artists to lead workshops in drama, music, dance and the visual arts.
Davidson School vice-principal Cathy Rettger said staff members have made it a priority to bring the exchange program back each year. She recalled her own experience attending a dance-themed workshop several years ago.
“It was so comfortable and so natural, and we had so much fun,” she said. “They share that passion and that excitement with the kids.”
The five workshops were held throughout the day for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6, with each class rotating between each station.
Kenn McLeod and Amber Phelps-Bondaroff led a clowning workshop in the student lounge, taking each group through a series of improv exercises that included statues in various poses.
They then invited individual students or small groups to perform in front of their classmates, drawing them into simple scenarios and having them mime different objects.
In the library, Erik Mehlsen led a songwriting workshop, developing a set of lyrics with each class. He would then match the words to a melody, teach the students to sing their songs and record them on the spot, playing along on an acoustic guitar.
Over in the elementary wing, Saskatoon-area storyteller Danica Lorer shared her craft, while Taylor Hunt led a dance session.
Rowan Pantel supervised a puppetry workshop in the high school scicnce lab. Students were given only basic tools, including blank newsprint taken from unused roll ends, and instructed to create simple puppets.
Pantel is also the manager for the Cultural Exchange workshop tour, now in its 32nd year. The group of professional artists tours the province in a van for the month of October, visiting a total of 20 schools, reaching as far north as Sandy Bay.
For the full story, see the Oct. 19 edition of The Davidson Leader.