Hornepayne Students Create Beautiful Gifts Thanks to White River Collaboration

Written by admin on 28 February 2013

Mme. Bergeron’s students painting their ceramics before they are sent back to White River to be baked. Photos Line Bergeron

The students were very excited to know that their art would return to White River to be transformed. Photos Line Bergeron

Proud students stand with the ceramics which are painted but in need of one last firing in the White River kiln. Photos Line Bergeron

NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO – Recently Grade 4, 5 and 6 students from École Saint-Nom de Jésus in Hornepayne (Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel Ontario) made their parents and families some very unique Valentine’s Day gifts thanks to a collaboration initiated by their teacher, Mrs. Line Bergeron, with Deb Duplassie of White River’s Northern Vision Arts Studio.

Mrs. Bergeron’s students received a variety of ceramic heart-shaped dishes as well as cute animal themed nic nacs along with a supply of ceramic paint, sent to the school from Northern Vision Arts Studio. The ceramics were painted by the students and then returned to White River where Deb Duplassie fired them in the kiln before sending them back to Hornepayne once again. Mrs. Bergeron’s students were thrilled to see the transformation which had taken place in regards to the appearance of the items they had painted and how different they looked once they had been baked with paint and glaze on.

Mrs. Bergeron and her students also made Maple Butter Tarts and Marshmallow Cookies which they arranged in the ceramic dishes before finally wrapping them in cellophane – beautiful gifts they would surprise their parents with Valentine’s Day morning.

This is a great example of how a very clever teacher can think far outside the box to find ways to take advantage of services offered in neighboring communities. Mrs. Bergeron seized a great opportunity to teach the kids many different lessons which applied to numerous streams within their curriculum including visual arts, mathematics, and language. “They had a blast and were very proud of their hard work” said teacher Line Bergeron explaining that in spite of all the fun and excitement there was plenty of learning as the students followed procedural texts, used recipes and learned a new art technique. Mrs. Bergeron emphasized how appreciative she and her students were of Deb Duplassie’s efforts “We can’t thank her enough for her generosity and time” said Bergeron.