Bright, dynamic Indigenous-themed art made by Forest Park school students occupies a portion of the school's gym. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

light it up

‘I’m pretty proud of the kids:’ underwater art display lights up Nanaimo school

May 22, 2024 | 4:06 PM

NANAIMO — A local school gym transformed into a florescent underwater Indigenous art show has made for a proud educator.

Nearly 400 students at Forest Park Elementary School contributed to the bioluminescence display of numerous marine creatures, including various forms of fish and dolphins to octopus and sea urchins.

The school’s aboriginal support worker Debra Elliott said in the new year each class was assigned an Indigenous-themed marine species to create, which saw many amplified by florescent paint.

Several months later, ambient lighting and underwater-whale themed audio joined for the vision of Forest Park students to come to life.

“I want to see their art, I sort of give them a little guideline of what I want, but I want them to just be creative,” Elliott told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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string and projector lighting augments the school created art at Forest Park elementary (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Students from each class began touring the display on Wednesday, May 22, while the public is invited to view it for themselves on Wednesday and Thursday between 2:30 and 6 p.m.

“Most everything is recyclable materials. We used bottles, toilet paper rolls, recycled fabric. Even the stuffing for some of the fish was made from an old blanket,” Elliott said, who chuckled she made a few trips to Costco for cardboard.

She thanked her students for their art, as well as fellow staff members for helping to set up the elaborate display.

“I’m pretty proud of the kids, I think they did a great job and the best part is just seeing how excited they were coming in here, it’s just kind of magical.”

A grade two class created these sea urchins, starfish and sea anemones. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A Forest Park school class checks out the art they contributed to on Tuesday, May 22. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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