Sheridan Illustration coordinator explores language of drawing with Indigenous youth

Sheridan Bachelor of Illustration coordinator Joe Morse recently visited Standing Stone Elementary School, located in the Oneida Nation of the Thames community near London, to speak to students in Grades 4-6 about artwork he created for Wab Kinew’s 2018 book Go Show the World, A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes.

Since the text of Go Show The World is a rap song, Morse began each of his three 100-minute sessions with students by sharing rap portraits he’s created over the years, breaking the ice through shared cultural connection. He then demonstrated the various purposes images serve in the world in which we live and encouraged the students to display their own unique approach to subject matter, design, colour and media handling.

“It was an inspiring experience and a hopeful sign that drawthinking sparks ideas and kindles a creative fire,” Morse says. “I said to the students it was time to stop talking about drawing and start yelling through their pencils. I hope they continue to speak through the language of drawing.”

Learn more about the visit by visiting Joe Morse’s Substack.