The Abwi Project

In October 2020, our Grade 12 Visual Arts class embarked on a project that was finally realized this month. During a unit where the students were studying public sculpture and design, they worked with each other to submit proposals for a collaborative piece that would involve paddles crafted at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. 

The students cast their votes for the best concept and overall design. Maggie Sharpe ’22 and Victoria Li ’22 were the successful winners of the vote. Maggie and Victoria planned for the class to paint the paddles using the colours of a beautiful Lakefield sunset along with triangles as the central pattern. 

The class began painting the paddles and many students completed two designs. Throughout this unit, the class consulted local artist, Tia Cavanagh for feedback and design suggestions. The pandemic and remote learning interruptions caused the project to be put on pause until the Spring of 2021. At that point, Lakefield staff and staff children also pitched in to add to the collection of paddles. 

This fall, we had a collection of 37 completed paddles. Tia Cavanagh rejoined our initiative to finalize the design and install the finished piece called The Abwi Project. 

Below is a statement from Tia about her process:

Abwi (Paddle si.)---- Anishinaabemowin

Abwiin (Paddles pl.) “ “

Jiimaan (Canoe si.). “ “

“The Abwi Project is a collective endeavour that integrated Art Students of LCS, Tayler Morencie and myself, Tia Cavanagh. The abwi is a symbol of the individual, community and a journey. Starting with raw unfinished paddles as material, students created art installation designs. My role in this project was to execute and conceptualize the winning student design. When I was first sent photos of the painted paddles I realized they weren’t just materiality for a larger sculpture, but singular pieces of intentional art. The original design by Maggie Sharpe ‘22 and Victoria Li ‘22, crafted the contour of a life-size Jiimaan (canoe) while negative space enabled geometric illustrations on each paddle to be appreciated. The original design was meant to be suspended, but this had to be reimagined as a structure supporting itself on the ground. Because the Abwi were painted with great detail and intentionality this had to be reflected in my design. Creating an organic shape with angled shims honoured the original concept. This work reflects the collective spirit that was exhibited in the creation of its own materiality. Positioned on the water’s edge, it is a symbol of togetherness and creativity in motion.”

If you are visiting campus and wish to see The Abwi Project in person, you will find it along our waterfront trail. 

We would like to thank all participants for their creativity and hard work: Minah Bae, Marc Bossongbra, Carter Chartier, Pia Holtappels, Victoria Li, Fatima Shahbaz, Maggie Sharpe, Arina Stolyar, Maha Bukari, Grace Devitt, Fernanda Fulcherberguer, Joe Huang, Alana Kim, Nancy Lu, Meeri Mattila, Ellie Murdock, Carlota Tommasi, James Wu, Cathay Maher, Emily Grainger, Libby Dalrymple, Jenna Quinn, Jen Frickey, Courtney Bugeia, Devon Cole, Alica Summers, Stephanie Sparkman, Tobey Gullick-Scott, Sarah Andras, Tia Cavanagh, Robin Cavanagh, Tayler Morencie, Sarah Young, Brian McCaw and Vicky Boomgaardt.