šxʷəxʷaʔəs Thunderbird Elementary

This collection features self-portraits created by students from Thunderbird Elementary School from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Using Indigenous formline design, each student transformed themselves into an animal that represents their identity, moving beyond realism and into symbolic expression.

As part of the creative process, every artist reflected on positive characteristics within themselves and chose an animal that embodied those strengths — courage, kindness, wisdom, curiosity, resilience, gentleness, leadership, and connection. Through this exploration, students were encouraged to see themselves not only as artists, but as storytellers.

The project also introduced mixed media techniques, combining formline work with watercolours and contemporary artistic approaches to give each piece its own unique energy and personality. The flowing colours and layered textures allowed students to experiment creatively while honouring Indigenous artistic influences in a meaningful and personal way.

Together, these works celebrate imagination, cultural learning, self-reflection, and the individuality of every young artist.

Throughout this residency, students embarked on a playful exploration of performance art by way of mask making and movement. Students were encouraged to embody bravery, to consider their own identities and to champion the qualities that make them unique in the form of a final mask and gesture. The core intent of this residency was to foster the confidence of each student and to cultivate "brave spaces"—environments where vulnerability is celebrated, and risks are embraced through a safe and playful structure. Within the six weeks, students designed their own masks while experimenting with new mediums such as clay, paint, found material and other performance art-based processes. By centering the notion of ‘play’ and incrementally encouraging students to be silly and to take risks in a safe space, they were fully able to embody their brave selves by the end.