Over the past year, Nanaimo District Secondary school students, staff and local artists collaborated to create a beautiful mural called “Winds of Change".

“Winds of Change” promotes a transformative view of belonging, inclusion, collaboration, and learning for Nanaimo’s youth and Aboriginal communities. The mural incorporates a strong Aboriginal element and has become a significant art piece at the school, creating a greater understanding of Aboriginal culture and inclusion in Nanaimo.

The mural consists of an assembly of tiles and Aboriginal carvings set into five panels and is displayed in the central social gathering area, the cafeteria. Thousands of pieces were created by hundreds of participants. The mural is a testament to the collaborative and inclusive spirit at Nanaimo District Secondary school and in the community.  

The art piece also features six hand-made ceramic pot lights and speakers that project sounds of the sea and wind and two video screens that display the creation of the mural and ongoing student success stories.

The mural represents a shared vision of students from Nanaimo secondary schools (Nanaimo District and the former Woodlands Secondary) and Learning Alternatives.

The art piece honours Nanaimo’s Aboriginal community through the Coast Salish button blanket and cedar carving art forms. It celebrates the strength, diversity, and passion of the student body, and creates inclusivity and belonging for newcomers to the school.  

The art piece was unveiled this past September when the Nanaimo School District hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony where the community joined together to celebrate this extraordinary accomplishment. The evening celebration included music, performances, speeches and an official dedication.

This project was made possible by the passionate and tireless efforts of the Fine Arts Learning Leader Beverley Long with assistance from a grant that the school district received from “Artists in the Classroom,” a not-for-profit organization that promotes art and creativity among British Columbia's young people with the opportunity to work along side professional artists in the classroom.

Quotes:

Principal at Nanaimo District Secondary school, Geoff Steel –

“It is a testimony to the power of collaboration and the diversity of our student body.”

Fine arts learning leader at Nanaimo District Secondary school, Beverly Long –

“The Coast Salish theme embodied in the button blanket mural gives students an opportunity to explore their own strengths, interests, and identity through the cultural symbols and perspectives of the aboriginal people and their connection with the natural environment of the West Coast. Two video screens set in to the blanket show case and celebrate the on-going success our students find every day in their journey through a wide range of learning opportunities from sports, science fairs, presentations, art, and performance.”

Grade 12 student, Nanaimo District Secondary school, Massimo Richers –

“I think the biggest aspect of this mural project is the unification it brings to our school.”

To view a photo of the mural, "Winds of Change", please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/31734492660/