(Common Ground Project/Facebook)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Art and Education

Local Art workshop goes online

Jun 23, 2020 | 12:38 PM

The Common Ground Project in Prince Albert is ready to put on a workshop to recognize Indigenous History and Pride Month.

Colonialism on Canvas: A Two Spirit Perspective is set to go Thursday afternoon. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the activity will be done via zoom.

The workshop’s facilitator, Jennifer Lenny explained the activity aims to educate participants about colonialism and the impact on Indigenous peoples. People do not need to have strong art skills in order to take part. Lenny said participants will paint as they are provided direction.

“They paint that figure while I am taking them through the five stages,” Lenny said.

Colonialism on Canvas was originally developed by Colleen Charles, who gave Lenny permission to use the exercise and add a two-spirit perspective to it. Lenny added the presentation still includes the original pillars, but said other aspects have been put in.

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“I have added some additional information of how those five stages affected two spirit peoples specifically,” Lenny said.

Lenny has given the workshop to people all over, including for groups in Saskatoon and in Calgary. This is the first time the workshop has been done via an online platform. Lenny added it is a powerful workshop and still expects people to get something out of it.

“It’ll be interesting to see how peoples experiences are doing it this way,” Lenny said.

Common Ground Project Coordinator Lemoya Lorensen said the organization working with their partners has been putting a big focus on art projects. She explained this is because they see many benefits, which includes bringing people together.

“Art is therapeutic, art also is an excellent medium for education,” she said.

Lorensen has taken part in the exercise herself. She said as people go through the workshop previous stages are painted over leading up to the final part.

“The hopeful part is trying to carve out some semblance of what you once were through the different stages you were confronted with,” she said.

There were still some spots open as of Monday. Lorensen said there were seven to eight spots available. People who are interested are encouraged to reach out common ground via email or Facebook.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn