This small sampling of masks, along with a variety of intimate statements from other students who have participated in "the Spirit of Me" program, are randomly juxtaposed here on this page for a reason…
Each student's commentary really stands alone as representative of his or her own unique internal journey. In addition, every embellished mask communicates independently without words through the language of art.
Artist's Statement: "My mask represents who I am and I am fabricated of strengths and weak-nesses that can be interpreted in this mask, but I can choose to wield those traits to protect me against the battle called life. With this mask I have created goals and I have made promises; so I will use these traits as a rowboat that will get me to the island of my destination. Although I do know that I also have to put in hard labour to get to where I want to go, therefore the reoccurring white in my art, is the hope that I will use as my oar." -Grade 7 student
Artist's Statement: Although I am still a child, I have big dreams, and they aren't impossible. I want to be recognized as a girl with determination, loyalty, self-rights, kindness, adventurous, and so on. Nevertheless, I still have a long way to go and the mask remains as a beginning." -Grade 7 studentArtist's Statement: "I learned that things don't always turn out the way it seems and that you should always set your standards high not low". -Grade 5 student
Artist's Statement: "I have had bad times in my life, and art seems to be the way to forget those times. While painting this mask I felt very free and calm because it was something I could express myself in. I love art when your own feelings are included and you are able to expess yourself, and I would recommend art to anyone." -Grade 6 student
Artist's Statement: "At the 'dark' side on my mask with the cross and scratches it represents the times in my life I was hurt and how I kept it behind me and kept following the crossroads." -Grade 6 student
Artist's Statement: "When I was designing my mask, I decided that the tear under the eye of my mask would represent the struggle that I have been through. Most days when I struggle with life's difficulties, I would struggle to stay happy and I wouldn't want to leave the house most days. Every day that I struggle I always have the courage I need to over come what gets thrown in the road I call life."
-Grade 7 student
Artist's Statement: "The red side of my mask represents my happiness and all the good things are on that side. On the other side is my anger. The flames are my temper. The white circles are the people who made me mad or upset me. On top I used a line down the middle to show that the sides are my emotions. When we needed to write power words I wasn't quite sure what to write. Then the instructor started reading some out and then I knew what to write. While I was painting I felt pretty spiritual and free."
-Grade 6 student
Youth's thoughts and feelings run deep as they explore and create, revealing measurable proof of art's value in their lives!
-Meghan Carich
"Dear Mrs. Carich, I really enjoyed all the time we had to make the masks especially when we painted and taped it. You really taught me how to put the spirit of me on my mask. The project meant a lot to me. You have taught me to be patience with my mask. This was a once in a life time experience I glad you chose our class. You represented me in many ways. I had a wonderful time making the masks. Thankyou Mrs. Carich for the hard work you did and thank you."
"I would like to thank you for giving us the learning experience. And thankyou for helping us find our values. I loved painting the masks because you never told us to hurry up. You were so patient and you told us to take our time. I thought my mask was going to be the worst one but mine is one of the best ones because you told me to believe my self."
