Reflecting on a decade as Director of the school, I come away with two strong lessons.

The first is that we seem to be tapping into some deep-seated need to express who we are in our own unique way. Whether it is through writing, painting, pottery, drama or singing – we all feel better, more connected to our true self, when we can create something. I've watched the faces of people leaving their classes over the years and there is a visible change in their "visage" that occurs over the two or three hours that they are in class. They feel better – more fulfilled and they are eager to learn more. It is the same for children as it is for adults. We are all happy when we are challenged and have just the right skills to meet the challenge. When this challenge is through the arts, we have the added pleasure of expressing our own true self.

The second lesson is that the only thing that matters is people. Our facility is small, our parking is inadequate, our location isn't ideal for many of our students, but they keep on coming because of the people. The teachers and administrators are helpful, skilled and have created an environment that people enjoy walking into. The teachers have inspired many of their students to go on to pursue art in a serious way – something they may never have considered before taking a class at the Avenue Road Arts School. Everyone has made it possible for people to discover themselves.

As we reach our tenth anniversary, I want to express an enormous debt of gratitude to both the students who have made it possible for the Avenue Road Arts School to be a viable institution, and to our wonderful staff who, together, have created an environment where people enjoy learning and pursuing their artistic and creative talents.

Lola Rasminsky, Director

Jumbo Book of Art released by Kids Can Press

Five years ago, Valerie Hussey, CEO of Kids Can Press, invited the teachers from the Avenue Road Arts School to put together a book of art projects for children aged 8-12. Instructors, including Liana Del Mastro Vicente, Julie Frost, Martha Johnson, Irene Luxbacher, Joni Moriyama, Linda Prussick and Susie Whaley, met regularly over the course of a year to contribute projects that excited them. It was decided that Irene Luxbacher would write and illustrate the book.

The Jumbo Book of Art is a compilation of nearly one hundred amazing art projects. It takes a fun and playful approach to drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. The imaginative projects in The Jumbo Book of Art are meant to be interpreted by the reader, making their creation both a unique and empowering experience.

The book was recently selected as a Gold Award Winner in the "Books" category of the 2003 National Parenting Publications Awards for Children's Resources. The book is now available in bookstores across North America and at the school. For all books purchased at the school or through our online store, the school will contribute a portion of the proceeds to the Arts for Children of Toronto scholarship fund. Visit our online store to see sample pages and reviews or to order a copy.

Faculty Shows

Arts Week 2003, visit the studio of artist Sandy Brand • info at www.sandybrand.com, Sept. 20-28, 2003

The Shadow Box Exhibition and Silent Auction, works by Moira Clark • Textile Museum of Canada, Opening: Oct. 15, 2003, Auction: Oct. 23, 2003

Sing Of Eve, with Allison Lynn, soprano • St. John's York Mills Church, 19 Don Ridge Dr., Oct. 16, 2003, 12:15 pm, for info call (416) 225-6611

Roses: A Celebration, a book by Pamela Stagg • published by North Point Press, over 30 original paintings of roses done by the artist, available Oct. 25, 2003

Solo Exhibition, works by Daniel Hughes • Edward Day Gallery, 33 Hazelton Avenue, November 2003

Colour and Form Society's 52nd Annual Open Juried Show, with works by Sandy Brand • Etobicoke Civic Centre Gallery, 399 The West Mall, Nov. 2 Ð 29, 2003

RedEye Studio Gallery, with works by Jennifer Hinrichs • Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St., Case Goods Warehouse, Studio 102, Wed. to Sun. 12 -5 pm, ongoing

David Warrack, conductor of the Canada Pops Orchestra launches the first full subscription series in January 2004 at the George Weston Recital Hall. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15. Visit www.canadapops.ca for more information.

For the last two weeks in August, artist Rachel Daley spent several hours a day working with children with behavioural challenges at the Earlscourt Child and Family Centre under the auspices of Arts for Children of Toronto. Rachel is uniquely suited to carry out this particular outreach program as for the past two years she has been studying at the Art Therapy Institute in Toronto.

At Earlscourt she worked with small groups of children who could not attend regular camp programs in the city. Her project was specially designed to link with Earlscourt's program of teaching the children to Stop Now and Plan (SNAP). Rachel and the children have created a tryptich which symbolizes reflection, perspective and dreams. Through the project she is helping children to understand how they can gain a new perspective, and how they can empower themselves to reflect and gain control. "I want them to think about how the world can open up for them if they choose a new way of seeing things," she explains.

When Rachel Daley was young, she would spend more time drawing on placemats in restaurants than eating the food. This versatile artist has worked in a foundry; has helped to create dinosaur models at the ROM; and studied drawing and painting, sculpture and metal sculpture at both Guelph University and the Ontario College of Art & Design. Since 1997, Rachel has taught toddlers, pre-schoolers, school-aged children and teenagers at the Avenue Road Arts School.

Rachel creates environments that are exciting and meaningful. "I want to bring interesting techniques to the children so that they can use them to make their work their own," says Rachel. She recognizes that teenagers struggling for independence need the freedom to express themselves. At the same time, she encourages them to be open to learning something new.

Teaching very young children at the school made Rachel recognize how much goes on in the imagination that doesn't get expressed verbally. This realization led her to pursue studies in art therapy: "I remember a little boy who made the most colourful vibrant painting and then covered it all with brown. When asked where all the colours went, his response was: "Now they're all behind a brown door! '"

By this spring, Rachel, the little girl who loved to draw on placemats will be a full fledged art therapist.

Rachel teaches Life Drawing for Teens and Drawing & Painting at the school. To see samples of Rachel's work click here.