The power of words

HUB project will create an inspirational piece of glass art

These past pandemic years have exacted an emotional toll on almost everyone. In particular, there’s been a severe dislocation in the lives of school-age children. The forced isolation from extended family, reduced contact with peers and periods of remote learning have added to the normal pressures of adolescence and finding one’s way in the world. A new project by glass artist Kirei Samuel, in collaboration with the HUB Child and Family Centre, aims to harness to power of words to help these kids navigate through the challenges of life. Using a list of 17 words, Samuel will guide the children as they create a piece of glass art. During the process, Samuel, together with Susan Quaiff of the HUB, will explore the precise meaning of the word and how it impacts the child’s life. The words are based on the work by psychologist Susan Ballinger and are intended to enhance a positive outlook on situations that may occur. Each child will be asked to choose a word that resonates the most with them and will cut out the letters of that word from a high-heat fabric. These letters will be sandwiched between two pieces of enamelled glass and further decorated with coloured glass fragments. Two of the pieces will have the word spelled out in Braille using sheet glass and glass nuggets. As part of the process, each child will create a small glass piece of their own design that they will be able to take home with them at the end of the project. All the pieces will then be taken to Samuel’s kiln where they will be fused at high temperature. Once the firing is complete, Samuel envisions that 15 of the pieces will be grouped in a three by five grid, with the Braille pieces displayed separately. The participating students will then decide on a public location in which to display the artwork. “I think it’s important for the students to identify that they made this project together and they should decide where they want it. Where will they see it the most? What do they want people to know about it?” said Quaiff.

Samuel refers to this project as creating a “growth mindset” among the children. “It’s about using words in a positive way, changing the way we think about them and how we use them. It’s about growing with this mindset and taking it into adulthood and always remaining positive in how you think about things,” she said. The list of 17 words is not exclusive, and Samuel said that there could be changes if some of the words aren’t the right ones for the kids. “We will figure out a word that is good for that age group.” She chose to partner with the HUB because that organization serves kids in the appropriate age group in their before- and after-school programs. “It was a good way for our kids to find out about an artist in the community and collaborate with her,” said Quaiff. “The students will determine the direction the art project is going, and hopefully the words will resonate with them. Parents can also join the students.” The project will run on three Saturdays, January 7, 14 and 21, and parents can register their children by email to SusanQ@thehubcentre.ca. Enrolment is limited to students ages nine to 12, and there is space for 17 kids. The project is funded by a grant from the Prince Edward County Arts Council and will take place in the gymnasium space at the HUB.