Carlton Principal Jeff Court stands with Oceanna Fisher James. (Sudmitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Culture

Black History Month collection helps launch new gallery at Carlton High School

Feb 1, 2021 | 5:13 PM

A newly renovated space at Carlton High School has officially been unveiled that will provide a gallery for the creative works of its students.

The gallery, located on the west side of the building, replaces the area formerly known as the Garden Space. Melanie Merasty, an art teacher at Carlton, has helped oversee the Collection Builders for Social Justice program.

“It really has this feeling of coffee shop, almost a post-secondary university feeling,” she said. “The space looks incredible.”

To help launch the gallery, is a special collection in honour of Black History Month, and was created by a Grade 10 student at the school. Oceana Fisher James’ collection features prominent people that have stood up for equal rights including sports figures, artists, and civil rights activists.

“I didn’t feel we had enough representation for black history month last year. I thought it was important to give that representation,” she said, when asked by paNOW what inspired her year long journey.

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James, 15, stands with three of her pieces. (Submitted photo)

With the support of her grandmother, James produced 10 paintings for the exhibit. Each of the faces is accompanied by some inspiring words, and four of the paintings were actually made by kids in the community, James had developed a connection with.

“That was very special to me,” she said, adding she hopes her collection will allow the youth to see a better representation of themselves in the community, and maybe one day be inspired to start their own collection.

(Submitted photo)

(Submitted photo)

Merasty noted collections like this take a lot of time and effort, but hopes to have something in the space each quarter. She also added the space won’t just be for artists, can also help showcase drama and welding projects too.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell