Haida Manga: Exploring Connection Through Collaboration

 

Session Title:

Haida Manga: Exploring Connection Through Collaboration

 

Presenters:

McMichael Canadian Art Collection: Christina Kerr (Tour and Interpretation Coordinator) and Anna Stanisz (Associate Director, Creative Learning and Programs)
 
 

Session Description:

Haida Manga is a studio developed by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in collaboration with artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas that challenges students to examine the theme: “what if everything you ever knew, suddenly changed?” Inspired by Yahgulanaas’s book, RED: A Haida Manga, this studio encourages students to explore traditional Northwest coast culture, personal narratives, and a broader understanding of community. Audience members will be invited to engage in a lively discussion on how arts and cultural organizations can facilitate a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives through a process of collaboration. The McMichael will emphasize the benefits of cultural exchange for students and staff by sharing the process of the studio’s creation and how challenges were resolved, and will include insights gained from interactions between students and Michael Yahgulanaas himself, who visited the gallery in the fall.

 

Session Slides: 

Unavailable.

 
Presenter Biographies:

Christine Kerr Tour and Interpretation Coordinator (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

Christina Kerr is currently a Lead Artist Educator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, where she has developed and implemented many arts programs with students of all ages and abilities. She has experience as an artist, teacher and coach. After earning her BFA and showing her own work in Toronto for a number of years Christina found her passion lies in teaching others. In 2014 she designed and led the inaugural LIFE (Learning Independence through Facilitated Education) Academy Program at the McMichael. The program is designed for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (such as Asperger’s) to further develop life skills. She is currently working on new innovative programs at the McMichael.

 

Anna Stanisz Associate Director, Creative Learning and Programs (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

Anna Stanisz holds Master's degrees in Art History and Archeology from University Sorbonne in Paris. Anna has also worked in Poland as an assistant curator at the National Museum in Krakow. In addition to lecturing regularly on historical Canadian art, Anna is in charge of the McMichael programs and interpretation through development of events, lectures, educational projects and exhibits.