James Lyng students get onboard with unique art class

CTV Montreal: Art project at James Lyng Grade 9 students at James Lyng learned a lot about art by designing and painting skateboard decks.

A recently completed art project done by Grade 9 students at James Lyng High School is giving new meaning to the term “boarding school.”

The students were told to draw and paint on skateboards in order to learn to appreciate the work and detail that can go into a piece of art.

“I was so excited because I’m a skater myself, so it was pretty cool to work on a board in school,” said student Corey Thompson.

The project gave students a chance to work on an object they could relate to, said art teacher Helen Stambelos.

“Working on a surface that is alternative, as opposed to a two-dimensional surface, bringing in that 3D aspect and something they can connect with,” she said. “They din’t realize that there was a whole drawing component and then there was a whole transferring process, and of course, the painting aspects that went into that project.”

Even students who don’t take part in the hobby, like Kassity Jack, found themselves engaging with their non-traditional canvas.

“I’m not into skateboarding, but just playing with the board itself was really fun,” she said. “It was interesting.”

For student Mykaila Sparkes-Milants, working on a skateboard was a chance to develop talents she never knew she had.

“it makes me feel pretty proud of myself, because for a while I never thought I was good at art whatsoever,” she said.

The lessons around the project aren’t just about art. As part of their entrepreneurship class, the students organized an art show to display their work.

“It gives them empowerment to know that they can do these kinds of things and people will respond to it,” said teacher Nathan Gage. “Especially kids in the southwest don’t realize that they have a real voice.”

Both students and teachers are hoping to sell as many of the skateboard decks as possible to raise funds for the same project for new students next year.