A model project exploring public art and community for young children

In the winter of 1998, artist cj fleury, who specializes in large-scale public art projects, received a grant from the Québec Ministry of Culture and Communications to hold an artist residency at Wakefield Elementary School.   This pilot project was part of a Ministry programme "SOUTIEN À LA CONCERTATION EN ÉDUCATION, EN FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE ET EN DÉVELOPPEMENT DE LA MAIN-D'OEUVRE CULTURELLE".  The programme aims to expand the awareness of the work of professional artists within an educational milieu (schools, communities, organizations). 

"…art is another form of expression that enlarges our ability to communicate and grow.  Art, like language, has vocabulary, structure, emotion and meaning."  cjf

Throughout May, 1998, children of Wakefield School (K-5 to grade 6) experienced the public art process from concept through production.   They  created four large art works: a permanent outdoor installation on the front of the school building, a permanent low relief scupture in the computer lab,  a temporary environmental installation in the school's forest,  and a small text based work of art in the main entry stairwell.