Recess 3x3 is an art project focused on research, skill-sharing and creating artwork which interprets and represents aspects of how kids play outdoors. This project involves the collaboration of three local Calgary schools: St. Alphonsus School, Briar Hill School & Delta West Academy. Each participating school helped to complete the research and art production elements through immersive papermaking.
Goal: To create three 3’x3’ artworks from handmade paper (one representing each school) reflecting and interpreting the data collected about play.
Why: How and what do children play during their free time (recess) at school? What do they choose to play or do when recess is one of the only times during the day they have full autonomy?
How: Grade 3 students completed a survey about play, participated in a handmade paper workshops where they kept some sheets and some were held back for the art project. Selected imagery and words supplied by students were re-drawn and then screen printed onto handmade paper. Balance and proportion of paper color (white, brown, blue) used to represent each school are a reflection of the percentage of answers provided by students.
- AIR (white) Students who indicate they spend time: socializing, breathing fresh air, wind, snow, rain, sunshine.
- GROUND (brown) Students who indicate they spend time: experiencing nature or the land, playing with grass, sand, sticks, leaves, insects, flowers.
- STRUCTURE (blue) Students who indicate they spend time: playing sports or on the playground.
Special thanks to all the teachers, students and school staff for their interest and support of this project!
