Students Take Flight Through Arts Education

It was a magical metamorphosis for Eugene Coste School students who transformed into artists through a monarch butterfly art installation in early February.

From February 1–3, thousands of Calgarians streamed into the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby for the National Geographic Live presentation of Jaime Rojo: Chasing Monarchs. They were submerged into a colourful world of creation, with the lobby transformed into an immersive installation filled with oversized monarch butterflies and caterpillars, courtesy of teaching artist Jenny Dale and her ambitious grade 5 students.

Photo by Karoly Rucska

Photo by Jarrett Edmund

Photo by Karoly Rucska

Photo by Jarrett Edmund

Photo by Karoly Rucska

National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo. Photo by Jarrett Edmund

Photo by Jarrett Edmund

Photo by Jarrett Edmund

The project began with an invitation from Werklund Centre's Associate Director, Education, Karen Youngberg, to activate the space in a way that only arts education can. 

“This year, we wanted the butterflies and caterpillars to serve not only as decorations, but also as puppets,” Dale explains, adding she spent several weeks preparing for the project.

Dale wanted to bring the butterflies and caterpillars to life through performance –– and she did it with the help of students.

Photo by Dena Vahle

“I love creating magic through puppetry, and I especially love sharing that experience with children. The students were incredibly proud of what they created, and I am, too. I hope this work leaves them feeling empowered and inspired.”

Weeks of preparation went into developing the final designs. Each butterfly functions as a two-person puppet, complete with a pulley system that allows the wings to flap in sweeping, lifelike motions.

The caterpillars were constructed with internal spring systems to give them expressive movement and dimension.

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

Photo by Dena Vahle

It was a technical challenge, but that is just part of the magic for Dale, who enjoys the process.

“This project required a great deal of cooperation and collaboration, and the scale of the work was significant. Knowing that it was exhibited for thousands of people made the experience even more meaningful,” she says.

“Many of these students have likely never created something this large or shared their work with an audience of this size. I think they were surprised to discover that they could accomplish something often assumed to be possible only for adults.” - Jenny Dale, teaching artist

Dale says the students collaborated not only as artists, but as problem-solvers and engineers.

As the proud teacher ruminates, the students tested ideas and supported each other through the building process, and she says what emerged was more than a display –– it was a collaborative accomplishment.

Photo by Dena Vahle

The Monarch installation wasn’t just about butterflies –– at the heart of the project was empowerment and possibility, as evidenced by the words the students have shared about the experience:

“It felt like we were being sent into another world, filled with butterflies, but it’s our world, and we have to take care of the butterflies in it.” 

"We had a lot of fun making the monarchs for the Jack Singer Concert Hall, this project has been one of the most memorable parts of our learning this year.”

“Everyone was so generous and patient with us, we're kids and we're doing this for everybody, thousands of people saw them, I feel like a real artist now, they inspired me.”

“Being part of this taught us to respect all animals, to never give up, persevere!”

“It feels great to have adults trust kids, we did our best, and it was pretty amazing!”

Dale credits Werklund Centre for providing the opportunity to showcase the students’ work.

“The space in the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby is ideal for creating an immersive experience that draws visitors into the world of the butterfly,” she says. “One of the most fulfilling parts of this work has been witnessing just how powerful the arts can be for children.”

Header photo by Dena Vahle