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Darrin Wilson, President Darrin Wilson is the President of the ATA's Fine Arts Council (FAC) and has worked within the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) since 2008, focusing mostly on teaching English language arts, visual arts, and drama to middle school students. He has a Diplôme d'Études Collégiales in Illustration & Design at Dawson College, a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University, and a Master of Education degree in Leadership, Societies and Languages at Bishop’s University, where he was awarded the Jury Prize for his research in educational psychology. Darrin continues to work as an illustrator, painting mostly in acrylics from his studio. His work is on exhibition at the Avmor permanent collection in Montreal. Darrin also writes regularly for McGill University and has authored a number of published works over the years, including Bishop’s University. Darrin currently hosts sessions across Alberta where he explores the merits of journalling for promoting metacognition and learning in all students, emphasizing how this process improves innovation and engagement in students. Darrin has joined the Fine Arts Council to connect with other fine arts teachers, networking and collaborating with professionals that share similar interests and passions as him. Amanda Clark, President-Elect Amanda Clark is a dynamic elementary music teacher in Leduc, inspiring young minds in both French and English classrooms for over a decade. A versatile educator, she also shares her love of music through private lessons, including the renowned Music for Young Children program. Amanda's musical journey began at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, where she earned a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Vocal Performance and minoring in French. She further sharpened her creative and organizational skills with a certificate in Arts Administration from MacEwan University, followed by an Education degree from Concordia University of Edmonton. As the President Elect for the Fine Arts Council of the ATA, Amanda is a passionate advocate for arts education. When she's not harmonizing with her students, you’ll find her outdoors, camping under starry skies, or enjoying laughter-filled adventures with her husband and their three energetic kids. Whether she’s conducting a choir, exploring the great outdoors, or juggling life as a mom of three, Amanda brings energy, creativity, and heart to everything she does. Maria Herrerra, Secretary Lorna Walker, Treasurer Lorna Walker is a retired elementary music specialist with over 30 years of experience with Edmonton Public Schools. Currently an active supply teacher, Lorna primarily supports music teachers throughout Edmonton. She has been deeply involved in the Orff community, serving on the executive boards of both the Alberta Orff Chapter and Carl Orff Canada. A passionate advocate for Fine Arts Education, Lorna contributed to Alberta Education’s initial curriculum redesign, specifically working on the music team. She is also a member of the Handbell Guild of Alberta and directs handbell choirs at St. Albert United Church. Since her retirement in 2019, Lorna has embraced personal pursuits, including travel, cycling, and quilting, all while continuing to nurture her love for music and education. Andrew Swainson, Art Representative Andrew Swainson is starting his 9th year of Art instruction, happily returning for his eighth year at J.A. Williams School in Lac La Biche. He has an intense passion for learning the technical side of Art and is always on the look out for new and out of the box art projects that will give his students the opportunity to express their "voice" through art. He specializes in pencil, ink drawings, chalk pastels, ceramics and sculpture. He is currently in his first year of a Master’s of Education, specializing in Art Education from the University of Victoria. Victoria Reid, Dance Representative / Conference Director Victoria Reid is the Dance Representative and Conference Director for the ATA Fine Arts Council. She is an Edmonton-based artist with over 25 years of experience in dance and theatre. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, and recently completed her Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching) from the Royal Academy of Dance in London, UK. She has completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet examinations up to the qualified teaching level and holds Registered Teacher Status with the RAD. Victoria has trained in ballet, pointe, character, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, and modern dance, and has taught in both the private dance sector and public education. As the founder and former director of the ABJ Dance Collective, she led hundreds of students through the locally developed Dance curriculum at Archbishop Jordan High School. She has also served as movement director and choreographer for numerous plays and musicals, and has taught extensively in drama and musical theatre. Her dedication to the arts has earned her multiple awards and scholarships for both dance and teaching. Victoria is also a Level 1 certified adjudicator through The Dance Leadership Initiative (TDLI), and is excited to support emerging dancers through this new role. Outside of the classroom, Victoria enjoys weekend walks through Edmonton’s river valley with her husband and son—coffee from a local café in hand. She is passionate about sharing her love for the arts with fellow educators and loves presenting to teachers across the province. Aimee Alger, Drama Representative Aimee is a Junior High STEAM teacher in Cold Lake. Drama is her passion: she has been acting since childhood and directing since she was a teen. Bringing the arts to her students has been a goal for many years, and she hopes to expand this goal to other rural schools across Alberta. Aimee runs a thriving school theatre program, partners with other drama teachers in the area to create opportunities for her students, and participates in her local community theatre. Silken Bruder, Music Representative Originally from Salt Spring Island, B.C., Silken Bruder is a Music and FSL specialist at Highlands K-9 School in Edmonton, Alberta. Since studying composition and education at the U of A, Silken has taught in Dublin, IE and in Edmonton, AB. Silken has sung with the U of A Madrigal Singers, the New Dublin Voices, and Accord Choir. She is currently working on her Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies and is passionate about working to making her music room a safe and culturally responsive space for her students. In her free time, Silken loves to garden, sew, and spend time with her family. Amanda Noullett, Generalist Representative Amanda lives in a small rural town in Northern Alberta where she has taught in a K-12 school for over 15 years. She has a minor in Elementary Music which she used for over 10 years instructing elementary students using Orff and Kodaly methodologies. As well, she has instructed Junior and Senior High in a collection of Art, Guitar, Culinary and Fibre Arts. A typical day at one point could have ranged from teaching musical rhythm concepts to 6 year olds to then switching to the Elements of Art to 16 year olds. In her spare time she tickles the ivories, belts out kitchen karaoke, is a crazy quilter and likes riding sticks down snowy mountains with her family. As the new Generalist Representative she brings a knowledge of multiple age groups, art modalities and the challenges of bringing art opportunities to rural Alberta. Sherri Greene, Social Media Manager Connie Ohlmann, Web Manager Connie Ohlmann has been teaching for more than twenty years and currently works as an elementary music specialist with the Edmonton Public School Board. She holds a Master of Education in Elementary Music from the University of Alberta (2021) and has completed Orff Levels 1–3 and Kodály Levels 1–2. Connie is passionate about helping students engage meaningfully in music programs, fostering creativity and musical growth in the classroom. Her commitment to arts education extends beyond teaching—she also serves as the web manager for the Fine Arts Council, where she combines her interest in technology with her love for the arts. In this role, she manages the council’s website and oversees the creation of monthly newsletters, supporting communication and collaboration within the arts education community. In her spare time, you'll find Connie reading, watching reality TV, and spending time with family and friends. Anna Trip, Journal Editor Anna Trip has been a teacher with the Calgary Board of Education since 2007, specializing in middle school Humanities. Passionate about creativity and student voice, Anna enjoys designing engaging learning experiences that connect the arts, storytelling, and civic understanding. She is excited to join the Fine Arts Council and to help highlight the inspiring work of Alberta’s arts educators. Jason Schilling, Provincial Executive Council (PEC) Liaison Jason Schilling was re-elected president in 2025 following six years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schilling chaired the Central Table Bargaining Committee and the Finance Committee, served as a member of the CTF (Canadian Teachers’ Federation) Committee and acted as Provincial Executive Council liaison to the English Language Arts Council. As district representative, he chaired the Communications, Advocacy and Public Education Committee; the Strategic Planning Group; and the Teacher Education and Certification Committee. He has also served as a member of the Central Table Bargaining Committee, the Curriculum Committee, the Pension Committee, the Political Engagement Committee and the Committee on Superintendents in the Teaching Profession. Schilling was an English and drama teacher at Kate Andrews High School, in Coaldale, where he worked for 17 years. Schilling’s assignments as president include chairing the CTF Committee, the Strategic Planning Group, the Membership Eligibility Board and the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board, and acting as Provincial Executive Council liaison to the English Language Arts Council and the Fine Arts Council. He also represents the Association on the CTF Board of Directors. Kim Zapesocki, ATA Staff Advisor Kim joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in April of 2025. She has a MEd and BEd from the University of Alberta as well as a BMus from Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba. Kim has over 20 years experience in public education where she has worked in three different school divisions, has taught many grade levels across a variety of subjects, held leadership roles such as numeracy lead, OHS lead and First nations Metis and Inuit Education lead, and most recently worked in school administration. Kim was intensely involved in her local serving as secretary, DEHR chair, PD chair and most recently established a Women in Leadership committee for the local and sat as the chair until joining the association. In addition to assisting teachers with issues related to their employment and collective agreement, Kim assists and represents appellants before the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan Extended Disability Benefits Appeal Committee, is the staff advisor for the Fine Arts Council, and acts as the liaison with the student local at Red Deer Polytechnic in Red Deer, Alberta.

Check out the October Newsletter with all of the latest updates from your Fine Arts Council.

I saw a post last week that said, “When did Dancing with the Stars become cool again?”  Honestly, I’ve been obsessed with DWTS for a couple of years now. I’m not sure what’s considered cool anymore—but with the Houghs hosting and judging, it’s an excellent watch.  Highly recommend!  This week’s theme was One-Hit Wonders, and it totally sparked my interest. Every pairing danced to a one-hit wonder—think “I’m Blue (Da Ba Dee)”  or “Hey Mickey!”  It got me thinking: what a fun classroom project this could be!    Why I Love This Idea   Adaptable for any grade level (just check music appropriateness first!)  Students can choose their song and then pick a dance genre—lyrical, jazz, ballroom, hip-hop, you name it.  Works as a solo, duet, or small group project.  It’s super fun. Students often get stuck choosing music (I get it... I do too!). This forces them to release control and have fun: pick a song, or draw one from a hat, and choreograph something!  It gets students moving to different musical eras, styles, and sounds—a great way to expand their musical diversity and choreographic abilities.   Encourages joy and risk-taking without high stakes. It’s playful and creative.  Can be short-form or long-form. Students could choreograph just the chorus and film it TikTok-style, or create a full piece like they do on DWTS.  It’s a great sub plan—easy to follow and students will dive right in.    🎶 Need Song Ideas?   Use a Spotify One-Hit Wonders playlist  Pull from the DWTS episode this week  Or check out my list below with some of my favorites and suggested styles:    Song  Artist  Suggested Style  Faded   Soul Decision   Hip-Hop   You Get What You Give   New Radicals   Contemporary Jazz   Kiss Me   Sixpence None the Richer   Contemporary   Walking in Memphis   Marc Cohn   Contemporary   She’s a Bad Mama Jama   Carl Carlton   Jazz Funk   Return of the Mack   Mark Morrison   Hip-Hop   Tainted Love   Soft Cell   Jazz   Whip It   DEVO   Musical Theatre   It Takes Two   Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock   Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk   Let’s Hear It for the Boy   Deniece Williams   Musical Theatre, Jazz   Torn   Natalie Imbruglia   Lyrical   Rhythm of the Night   DeBarge   Musical Theatre, Jazz   Let Me Love You   Mario   Hip-Hop   Chasing Cars   Snow Patrol   Contemporary   Bleeding Love   Leona Lewis   Contemporary, Hip-Hop     💡 Need a Little Inspiration?   If students need a little push to get excited about dancing to “older” music, show or discuss the viral GAP dance video featuring the one-hit wonder Milkshake  by Kelis.  It’s wild, stylish, and full of energy—and chances are, they’ve already seen it! It’s a great example of how classic tracks can be reimagined in fresh, fun ways. Use it to spark conversation about musical eras, style fusion, and how dance trends evolve.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwzF26o0AuU   ***As always, please check the content of videos or music presented here for appropriateness based on your classroom and the age level of your students.     Let’s Connect!   I’d love to hear if you try this in your class and how it turns out! Feel free to reach out or connect in any other way—sharing ideas and seeing what others are doing is one of the best parts of being in this community.  Keep shining!   Victoria, Dance Rep  victoria.reid@fineartsata.ca

Lesson by Fine Arts Council Member, Chelsey Boley Task Students create a visual journal page with a border, title and 3-5 things about themselves. Why are we doing this? ● Refine (improve) our drawing skills. ● Plan our compositions. ● Make art about things that are important to us! ● Use our pages to build our writing skills. You will need: ● Visual journal or sheet of paper ● Pencil & eraser ● Colours What to do: ● Watch the video ● Follow the steps shown in the video (brainstorm, thumbnail sketch, large sketch, add colour) ● Share your journal page with your teacher and classmates!

The start of a new school year is always hectic. New students, subjects, and schedule. For me, that means taking on grade 8 math and science for the first time in my career! By October many generalist teachers have used their art blocks to finish projects from other classes, which is what we have to do some days! But if you’re looking to mix it up, I’ve got an easy lesson that is cross curricular and fairly low prep.   Neon Skeletons    Supplies:  Acrylic paint markers (I got mine on Amazon)  Black card stock  Printouts of your choice  Rulers  Pencils  Erasers  Practice sheets (optional)  Grade Level  This was a resource from The Cozy Art Teacher that I adapted for my grade 9 students last year, but this could be modified for students all the way to grade 4-5 if you change a few things.   Process First you need to get the students to practice transferring an image using a grid. Grids are a fantastic tool to scaffold lessons about proportion, observation, and the use of space in art. You can use any imagine, add a grid over it and print a paper the same grid. Students need to take time to copy the original image square by square.  Once they have practiced this skill, they need to use a ruler.  I have mine mark out using inches on the left then right sides of their reference image papers, and connect the two marks to create a straight line.  This will be the most challenging part for most, so take your time. Many students have not been explicitly taught to use a ruler in a few years and reminders will be needed.   After they have made rows they will measure across the top and bottom and connect the marks to crest column. Once their grid is correct and they have checked using the ruler to see if they have made 1x1 inch squares, they will start creating the same grid on their black card stock.  Encourage them to press lightly so they can erase the pencil marks after.   Both grids get labels across the columns and rows. I use letters and numbers.   Now they are ready to start transferring. Some students will be overwhelmed by the project at first, so I get them to cover their reference image and work one row or square at a time. This helps the project feel less daunting. Once they have finished, they recheck each square and can start colouring!  We used bright colours for the outlines with the paint markers. Once dry, they can erase all of their pencil lines easily.  After that, they add more details and accents with the markers to create interest and then they are complete!    Extensions What I like about this project is it is so easily modified, and you can use almost anything as a reference, as long as it has a solid outline. Find a simple colouring book and use the images from there, or have your students create their own for a bigger challenge.   You can use it for science to create fun posters for the body or skeletal systems, plant or animal cells, or the water cycle. With the ruler and measurements, we are connecting to math, and the grid can directly relate to map skills in social studies.  Have them write a story or a poem to go with their drawing, and you’ve got ELA tied in too.   If you’re interested in the original lesson, check it out here ! Finding blogs like this one with lessons laid out takes the pressure off coming up with ideas when you’re a generalist. Don’t feel you have to reinvent the wheel!  Happy creating!  ~Aimee

Lesson by Fine Arts Council Member, Christina Hamer Create "Artistic Licences" with your artists to encourage them to play, experiment and express themselves in class Activity Intro: YOUR creative licence frees you to be different, to think outside the box, to turn things upside down, to challenge the status quo, to go out on a limb, to see the forest and the trees, to blaze a new trail, to see with new eyes, to hear with your heart and speak with your actions, to do the unexpected, try the impossible and ask “why not?” Download full PDF of lesson below.

Lesson by Fine Arts Council Member, Chelsey Boley Task: Let's start the year by creating a self portrait. That means we are going to be drawing ourselves! You may have made a self portrait before, but since your skills are ever improving, and you are always growing, your portrait this time will probably be very different. Materials: ● Plastic locker mirrors (if possible) ● Pictures of your students (if possible) ● Paper / visual journal ● Markers ● Coloured pencils, etc. ● Pencil ● Eraser Here's what you get to do: Watch the linked video. Draw a self portrait. Try to make sure you do the following: look at a picture of yourself while drawing, or use a mirror! add colour and / or shading to your work. Share your work

Michael Shain, Visual Art Representative There’s just a few more days until the Arts Unleashed Conference in Edmonton and I’m very much looking forward to the learning, the discussions and the ice cream. If you’re reading this and you’re not registered, you still have time. I would love to see you there! Now, I know nothing about breakdancing (I’m a basement studio mole) so hearing and learning about Phil Wizard and his journey is going to be a stretch for me. The performing arts terrify me: I can’t wait. I’m really excited to hear Robin Smith-Peck talk about her story and share her insights into the creative process. If you have not seen her work I recommend having a look because it’s nothing less than inspired. As a mixed media artist myself I find the work full of layered processes that begs meaning-making. The combination of printing techniques, acrylic, drawing media and narrative used to tell a story is really engaging. The other session I’m keen to attend is Ron Wigglesworth’s Oil Pastel session. Oil pastel is so often overlooked or even maligned but in the past three or four years I have been applying painting techniques with oil, using drawing methods to enhance and provide variety and uniqueness to oil pastel paintings and embedding colour theory into my oil pastel art projects for students. One of the best things about oil pastels is their relative economy: it’s a great way to get students at all levels thinking like a painter. This is going to be a great session full of ideas I can take back to the classroom. If you want to find out more, please go to the FAC website: https://www.fineartsata.ca/ . One last note: if you think you might be interested in showcasing a project, lesson or specific media for Art Teachers, send me a quick email ( michael.shain@fineartsata.ca ). I’m looking for presenters for the next series of online (Zoom) workshops. These workshops are fun, easy, no-pressure PD opportunities where Art Teachers get together and play. “We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw See you on October 17th! Mike

Our AGM will be happening on October 18, 2025 at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns in Edmonton, starting at 12:15PM. Location: Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4B4 Time: 12:15PM Agenda : The agenda will be available on the conference Sched at least one week prior to the AGM. We are currently accepting nominations for the following positions: President-Elect (elected) Treasurer  (elected) Drama Representative  (elected) Music Representative  (elected) Journal Editor(s) (appointed) Social Media Manager (appointed) Conference Chair (appointed) If you are interested in any of the above positions or would like more information, please download the attached 2025 Nomination Form. The agenda for the AGM can be found at the Conference Sched .

Do you have any tried and true back to school lessons that you use year after year? Share the wealth and send them our way! Art projects? Name games? Community building drama games? Anything else! As a thank you, your lesson / resource may be featured in our September email and a gift card for $50 will be emailed to you. Submit your great Back to School Ideas  here. Submit before August 15, 2025

Happy Summer from the Fine Arts Council! As the days grow longer and the pace slows down, summer is the perfect time to dive into some inspiring reading that fuels your creativity and broadens your artistic horizons. Here's a few of the books from my recent reading list to spark your imagination and enrich your artistic journey : How Music Works  by David Byrne Written by the legendary Talking Heads founder, this book offers a fascinating exploration of music from a true creative visionary. Byrne’s insights into how music shapes and is shaped by culture, technology, and human connection are both profound and accessible. The Creative Act: A Way of Being  by Rick Rubin Legendary music producer Rick Rubin—who’s worked with everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Johnny Cash—shares his philosophy on creativity as a way of life. This thoughtful book is a guide for artists of all kinds seeking to nurture their creative spirit. What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory  by Brian Eno and Bette Adriaanse Dive deep into the nature and impact of art with this collaborative work by musician and artist Brian Eno and writer Bette Adriaanse. Their unique perspectives invite readers to rethink how art influences us and the world around us. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative  by Austin Kleon A modern classic for creatives, Kleon’s book offers practical advice on how to embrace influence, remix ideas, and cultivate originality in your work. The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday  by Rob Walker Rob Walker’s insightful guide encourages us to pay closer attention to the small, often overlooked details that surround us daily. His blog, The Art of Noticing , complements the book beautifully by celebrating the beauty in both the mundane and the extraordinary. I hope these books inspire you to see, hear, and create in new ways this summer. See you at our Fine Arts Conference in October! Michael Shain Visual Arts Representative michael.shain@atafinearts.ca

Hi Dance Educators,  As the school year winds down, I want to send you my warmest wishes. I hope your final classes and showcases have been both fulfilling and joyful. May this summer offer you time to rest, reconnect with nature, and rediscover the simple pleasures that bring you joy.  To send you into the break with a spark of inspiration, I’m sharing two resources that have deeply impacted me. Each reminded me of why I love this work so much—and I hope they ignite some fresh creativity in your own practice as well.  ________________________________________________________________________________ 🎥 Watch: Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance      The story of Jazz Dance is a complex one, it goes to the very heart of humanity. Our aim is to open up a conversation within the dance community to challenge established thoughts and bring to light opinions that may have been overlooked.   https://uprootedfilm.com/     This was filmed in collaboration with Decidedly Jazz Dance Works, right here in our province in Calgary. The easiest place to watch this film is to purchase or rent this film is on Apple TV.  Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance  This film was truly life-changing for me—an absolute must-watch. We viewed it in my high school dance class before beginning our work in jazz movement, and it sparked powerful discussions around codified techniques and vernacular traditions in dance history.  Please preview this content before sharing it with students, as it contains some language and material you may want to review in advance.   ________________________________________________________________________________ 📚 Read: The Creative Act: A Way of Being  by Rick Rubin     The Creative Way of Being - Rick Rubin   I listened to this as an audiobook on a drive to Calgary, and it was fascinating. As Rubin says, some parts will resonate; others may not—but it’s a beautiful companion for a walk in nature or a summer road trip. It left me feeling creatively refreshed and inspired as an artist.   _________________________________________________________________________________ As always, please keep in touch. I’d love to hear from you and support you in any way I can.  Keep shining,  Victoria  victoria.reid@fineartsata.ca