When Durham Alternative Secondary School (DASS) Visual Arts teacher Ashley Chambers started working at the Pickering location in February, she knew she wanted to make a difference in her students' lives and contribute to the changed narrative of her school.
DASS teacher Mary Beamer with student Sarah Mansoor.
"We are aware of the historical negative stigma associated with DASS, and I wanted an opportunity to showcase to the community the reality of how amazing DASS and our students are," says Chambers.
Chambers connected with Principal Kim Stuart and the teachers at other DASS locations to brainstorm a special project that would shine a light on the incredible artistic journeys and creations happening in DASS Visual Arts classrooms.
Once the project received the green light, Chambers met with curator Olexander Wlasenko to secure an annual partnership with the Whitby Station Gallery who were delighted to showcase student art throughout June.
From March to the end of May, students from every DASS location, many who had never taken a Visual Arts class before, channeled their imaginations and created multiple inspiring art pieces. The art came to life as mixed media, photography, drawings, paintings, and sculptures.
On June 20, staff, students, families, and friends gathered at Station Gallery to celebrate with an opening reception.
Alexsia Crawford, a graduating DASS student, was intrigued by the photography lessons in Ms. Chambers' class.
Graduating DASS student Alexsia Crawford next to her photographs at Station Gallery.
"I had never thought about photography before, but I started taking photos of everything. It just came naturally after that. It opened a whole new world in my mind," says Crawford.
After graduation, Crawford plans to work for a year then pursue a photography program at a school in Montreal the following year.
Sarah Mansoor, a DASS student at the Regional Centre for Success, has always had a passion for drawing. In teacher Mary Beamer's class at Durham College, she was able to continue drawing while learning.
"Art eases my mind and I've always been good at multitasking so being able to do both at school created a relaxed environment that helped me succeed," says Mansoor.
Mansoor creates landscape drawings using a variety of pencils and techniques. Some drawings are of iconic Toronto landmarks, beautiful rolling hills and markets in Pakistan, and some are fantastical architecture straight from her imagination.
Her detailed drawings caught the eye of Wlasenko and Mansoor has now been offered her very own exhibit expected to open in October 2024.
Station Gallery curator Olexander Wlasenko and DASS teacher Ashley Chambers.
Chambers says she is incredibly proud of all the students and is excited to see what they do next.
"This is about celebrating students who don't have the same opportunities as their composite peers. It's been amazing to see them discover, experiment, excel, and believe in themselves," says Chambers. "They are packed with potential and deserve to be celebrated."
View photos of the opening reception on the DDSB Facebook page.
To learn more about DASS visit their website.
