By Samantha Simon
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TN Kirnon Primary School recently launched its visual arts programme with an Egyptian-themed exhibition that combined art appreciation with literacy activities.
The exhibition, which coincided with the school’s literacy week and Black History Month celebrations, featured student-created artwork inspired by ancient Egypt and prominent Black artists. Students from kindergarten to grade six participated in the event.
“We actually just started doing the arts at TN Kirnon after it [was] put on hold during the Covid-19 period,” said Sacha Mills, the teacher who coordinated the exhibition within a two-month timeframe.
The entire concept was designed as “The Tomb of Pharaohs,” with the exhibition space darkened to create an immersive atmosphere of truly being in an ancient tomb.
Parents and community members were invited to view the exhibits guided by lantern light while the artwork was displayed and explained.
Students created various pieces including Egyptian jewelry, Eyes of Horus symbols, and tributes to influential Black artists like Lois Mailou Jones and Jacob Lawrence.
Mills explained that while the teachers provided guidance, the students completed the artwork themselves.
“They drew and painted them themselves. The only thing I would have done is give them instructions on how to create the jewelry pieces because it’s Egyptian—they have to use mathematics to create the art—but everything else, I was only the guide on the side,” Mills explained.
Beyond visual displays, the exhibition incorporated literacy challenges where students decoded Egyptian hieroglyphics, completed reading exercises, and participated in creative activities like drawing in the dark to engage their right brain.
Looking ahead, Mills hopes to see art integrated more deeply into educational assessment.
“For me, I would love to see art being used as a form of authentic assessment. I know a lot of times we focus on standardised testing, but with that, you only get to see 25 percent of the students,” she said.
Mills envisions a more holistic approach to education that recognizes diverse talents.
“If we really incorporate art—and not just visual arts, but music, dance, drama—I believe we can see more of our students. Instead of this ‘level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4,’ we can see that these students are musically talented, or dramatic, or visual art students.”
