CISVAF: Visual Arts Festival

Artists need plenty of inspiration to fuel creativity and discover innovative ways to funnel their passion into a career. This festival offers senior visual-arts students an opportunity to discover and talk about art, showcase and produce art, and participate in workshops run by top industry and art professionals.

For educators, it’s a great way to spark new perspectives and art-making techniques to bring back to class.


CISVAF 2023

CIS Ontario member school students in grades 10–12 joined us at the 2023 CISVAF – Visual Arts Festival, on November 24, 2023 at the stunning McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario.

CISVAF 2023 was a day of artistic exploration, inspiration, and growth that students will remember for years to come. Shelley Mandakwe Charles, Elder, Culture and Language Teacher, Keeper of Women's Teachings, Ceremony leader, Indigenous Education Specialist, opened the day with a moving talk.

The theme of 

Reconnecting: Weaving Threads of Indigenous Heritage, Human Connection, Nature, and Artistry

focused on three main educational pillars: a gallery tour, workshops and interactive art battle.

Gallery Tour - "Stories of Canada"

Using McMichael's rich and diverse art holdings, students explored art as an expression of personal experience and examined various cultural narratives of the past and present. Artworks exploring the legacy of colonialism in Canada, such as the residential school system, slavery, and industrialization, were among the topics discussed.

CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023

Dreamcatcher-Making Workshop

Kim Wheatley, a Traditional Anishinaabe Grandmother Artist and Ancestral Knowledge Keeper and Destiny Love Rae, an Anishinaabe Artist, led students through a dreamcatcher-making workshop. Students were immersed in an introduction to indigenous culture in Canada and guided by the artists to find resilience within themselves as they completed their personal projects.

CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023

Weaving Workshop

Tracey-Mae Chambers, Métis Installation Artist, introduced weaving to the students through a workshop that focused on connectivity between individuals and community. Tracey-Mae explored the importance of students listening to themselves and finding their community to foster creativity.

CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023

Interactive Art Battle

Students unleashed their competitive spirit as they engaged in an interactive art battle. This fun and challenging activity encouraged them to think on their feet and express their creativity under pressure. It's an experience that was both exhilarating and educational.

CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023
CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF 2023

Watch CISVAF 2023 📽️

CIS Ontario Visual Arts Festival CISVAF

CISVAF 2023 Planning Committee

Ellen Powers
Department Head, Visual & Performing Arts, Appleby College

Alia Toor
Art & Design Teacher (MS & US), Havergal College

Julia Hillyer
Senior Visual Arts Instructor, Hillfield Strathallan College

Taylor Morencie
Visual Arts Teacher, Advisor, Lakefield College School

Matt Wyatt
Visual Arts/Broadcast Journalism, St. Andrew's College

Judy Warren
Teacher – MYP Art, Design and Humanities, TMS

Sam Welbourn
Visual Arts Teacher, Trafalgar Castle School

Sally McKay-LePage
Program Director - The Arts, Trinity College School

For additional information, please contact:

Jeremy Barr
Event Manager
jbarr@cisontario.ca
613-449-0226