The current emphasis on diversity that we see in many places in the province may lead some to think of the region as quite monocultural.
But New Brunswick has always been a diverse place.
From the Indigenous ethnicities of the Wabanaki Confederacy to settlers from the British Isles and France, and migrants of West African descent from the United States and the Caribbean, the story of New Brunswick has been written by different people from different places.
It’s a story that continues today with newcomers from countries such as Nigeria, Syria, Ukraine, China, and more calling the province home.
And several ASD-W students were recognized over the summer for their artwork highlighting this diversity as part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s (EECD) 2nd Annual Student Design Challenge.
The Challenge tasked students from across the province with creating original artwork that celebrates the cultural and linguistic diversity of our schools and our province, said Kathy Whynot, EECD Team Lead for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Schools.
“Keeping in mind our provincial pride in cultural diversity and inclusivity, the chosen artwork captures the unique, inclusive and vibrant nature of our schools,” Whynot said. Judges viewed artwork from 167 students representing 18 schools in the province’s four anglophone districts. ASD-W’s entries came from the Connaught Street School, Nashwaaksis Memorial Elementary School, Bliss Carman Middle School, Fredericton High School, and Tobique Valley High School. Winning designs will eventually be printed on tote bags, buttons, and stickers that EECD will share with colleagues, educators and partners in education, Whynot said.
“To me my artwork represents friendship,” said Connaught Street School Grade 5 student Mackenzie Patterson, a first-prize winner in the Grade 3-5 category. “The message I hope to send to anybody who sees my artwork is that you can be friends with whoever you want to, no matter how they look.”
Patterson’s artwork features two hands forming a heart symbol around the New Brunswick provincial flag.
“It was really neat that she selected the heart,” said Connaught Street School Principal Barb Corbett. “Although she was not a newcomer, she understood the importance of creating that community.”
Both Corbett and Teacher Amanda Good spearheaded the Challenge at Connaught Street School.
“[Students] haven’t had an opportunity to do something like that before, so they were really intrigued by the prospect of getting to showcase their work and show off their skills in art,” said Good.
Connaught Street School also produced two more winners: Kate Howey, Grade 5, and Charlotte Leopkey, Grade 4, both tied for third place.
“My artwork means that, through thick and thin, I will stand up for my friends,” said Leopkey. “I hope that anyone who sees this will think that we should all be treated equally and fairly.”
Said Whynot, “Students were encouraged to let their own identities and creativity shine through as part of their message. The winning artwork captures the unique, inclusive, and vibrant nature of our schools, showcasing the pride we gain from our diversity.”
Items emblazoned with the students’ winning designs should be available in October, she said.