There are moments in education when you can almost feel something important taking shape in the room. Curiosity. Confidence. A sense that students are beginning to see themselves differently.
That was the feeling at the National Gallery of Canada when Black students from across the Ottawa Catholic School Board gathered for Taking Up Space, a full day dedicated to art, storytelling, and identity.
From the moment students arrived, the space felt welcoming and alive with possibility. Music played softly. Art materials were waiting on the tables. Conversations began almost immediately as students met one another, many for the first time. The day started not with instruction, but with connection. An icebreaker activity invited students to move around the room, find common ground, and start building community.
It set the tone for everything that followed.
Art as Storytelling
The morning began with a powerful idea: art tells stories.
Students were introduced to the work of Black Canadian artists such as Adeyemi Adegbesan, Deanna Bowen, Ekow Nimoka, and Randel Adeji. Through discussion and examples, they explored how artists use different mediums to document history, reflect on identity, and express lived experiences.
For many students, this was a moment of recognition. Art was no longer just something hanging on a wall. It was a way to share who you are and where you come from.
That idea came to life during the “My Story, My Voice” activity.
Students were invited to create a visual piece representing an aspect of their identity, community, or personal experience. Tables quickly filled with colour, collage materials, drawings, and words.
The guiding question was simple but powerful:
If someone learned about you through this artwork, what would you want them to understand about who you are?
What emerged were deeply personal pieces. Some reflected family, others culture, memories, or dreams for the future. Each one was unique. Each one mattered.
Learning to See Through a Photographer’s Lens
Later in the morning, students shifted their focus to photography and visual storytelling.
The workshop introduced them to the idea that photography is not simply about taking pictures. It is about seeing differently. It is about framing a moment, capturing emotion, and telling a story through light, perspective, and composition.
Students also learned about the work of Black Canadian photographers, including Andrew Jackson, Michèle Pearson Clarke, David D. Pistol. Their images show how photography can document community, challenge perspectives, and spark important conversations.
Carrying this new lens with them, students headed into the gallery.
Experiencing the National Gallery Through Student Eyes
During a guided exploration of the National Gallery, students were encouraged to engage with the artwork in a more personal way.
They were asked to find pieces that made them feel seen, artworks that raised questions, and pieces that told stories without using a single word.
Instead of simply observing, students reflected, sketched, and wrote notes about what they noticed. They considered how lighting, perspective, and mood shape how we experience art.
The gallery became more than a place to visit. It became a place to think, question, and imagine.
Artists Sharing Their Journeys
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion featuring Black Canadian Ottawa-based artists who shared their journeys into professional artistic careers.
Students listened as the panelists spoke honestly about their creative paths, the challenges they faced, and the importance of telling authentic stories through their work.
The conversation quickly became interactive as students asked thoughtful questions about inspiration, identity, and what it takes to pursue a creative career.
For many students, hearing directly from artists who had walked this path made the idea of becoming an artist feel not just possible, but real.
“I Am an Artist Because…”
Before the day concluded, students gathered for a closing reflection.
They were invited to complete a simple sentence: “I am an artist because…”
The responses were written on sticky notes and added to a growing mural of student voices. Together, they created a collective statement about creativity, identity, and self-expression.
Students then shared their artwork with one another during a mini gallery walk. There was laughter, thoughtful conversation, and plenty of proud moments as students explained the stories behind their pieces.
It was a reminder that creativity thrives when young people feel safe, supported, and seen.
An Evening Celebration of Student Talent
Later that evening, families and guests gathered to celebrate the finalists of the Taking Up Space Art Contest. Student artwork filled the space as guests explored the displays, listened to poetry, and celebrated the creativity of these remarkable young artists.
The evening concluded with the announcement of the contest winners, but the true celebration was the confidence, courage, and storytelling each student brought to the day.
Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Artists
Opportunities like Taking Up Space remind us that when students are given the chance to explore their identities, share their stories, and learn from one another, powerful things happen.
They build confidence.
They build understanding.
And perhaps most importantly, they begin to see new possibilities for themselves.
In many ways, the day reflected the spirit of our Board’s Spiritual Theme, Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings.
Doors were opened to new artistic experiences.
Bridges were built between students, artists, and stories.
And for many of these young people, it may have been the beginning of a lifelong relationship with art.
And if the creativity and pride we saw throughout the day are any indication, the future of storytelling through art is in very good hands.
