Arts Creation: A Curriculum of Relationality, Resurgence and Renewal is a curated collection of arts-informed, creation-centred, and storying practices in research and education. “The ceremonies, and their resurgence, is a curriculum of relationality and one that must be renewed continually. This, too, can be challenging. Difficult but necessary work.” – Cynthia Chambers & Erika Hasebe-Ludt
Author|Artists’ weave threads of imagery, poetry, narrative, and verse, with sound and story that evoke our capacity to re-imagine our world differently. Their diverse and distinct voices and expressions remind us of the powerful sustenance our creative spirit can manifest. They show us how the arts can actively decolonize, heal, build relationships, return, reclaim, and honour our relational connections. These lessons teach us how we can lift-up voices, resist colonial narratives, strengthen our resolve to respect and honour each other, and celebrate life. “These writers and artists have gifted their audience with the radiant hope of a curriculum that will enable our children, and our children’s children, find their place in the family of things.” – Cynthia Chambers & Erika Hasebe-Ludt
It is our hope that this inspirited collection provides a relational and creation-centred approach for artists, artist-researchers, educators, and those engaged in reconciliatory work.
Cover Art:
“Facing East” [Photo-digital collage] by Darlene St. Georges symbolizes new beginnings:
Sitting here this morning watching the sunrise, I am so grateful to witness this exquisite renewal of life; bursts of peach, tangerine, and magenta enfolding with hues of lavender and turquois resting upon atmospheric ice crystals. Formed in a moment of time and space, this fleeting spectacle of life propels me to move closer. Traversing the living room to open the door, I find myself outside, breathing in as deeply as I can, here, Facing East, rooted in creation, that like sunrises, is unbound, and renewed again and again.
Jennifer Markides, PhD is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Youth Wellbeing and Education, and Assistant Professor in the Werklund School of Education and the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Her research prioritizes Indigenous community-led partnerships that support the holistic wellbeing of youth.
Darlene St. Georges is a visual artist, poet, and creation-centred scholar. She is associate professor of art education at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Her theoretical and practice-based research explores creation-centred living literacies through aesthetic translations of voice, breath, body, and spirit. Darlene is co-editor of Artizein: Arts & Teaching Journal. See: www.darlenestgeorges.com Contact: darlene.stgeorges@uleth.ca