In the Spirit of Humanity Exhibition

A MAME Supported Project

Manju and one of the Adult EAL Students

In the Spirit of Humanity is a Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery project. It is a unique project which, through art, has given a wonderful opportunity to all ages of students to express their views on “humanity” freely. About 1200 individuals participated in workshops. Approximately 500 participated in the In the Spirit of Humanity Student Exhibition and had works displayed at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery in March and April of this year.

New Canadians from a Participating Adult EAL Classroom

In the Spirit of Humanity presentations and workshops were designed to create an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc... Ray Dirks, Isam Aboud and Manju Lodha gave multimedia presentations followed by art workshops. After the three presenters gave a multimedia presentation about who each of them is -- Dirks a second generation Canadian Mennonite whose grandparents were all refugees, Lodha an Indo-Canadian, Hindu immigrant having lived in Canada more than 35 years and Aboud a Sudanese Canadian, Muslim refugee who came to Canada six years ago -- participants were asked to reveal something of themselves "in the spirit of humanity".

Student Artists Dressed in Saris and Dancing a Traditional Dance  

Every student was made to feel important, highly valued. They were asked to create art about who they are, what they value, to explore their own roots, identity, community, beliefs and values regarding everything from home life to the environment. Participants were encouraged to get to know one another beyond stereotypes. They were encouraged to accept differences, to get to know one another and to accept one another.

They were encouraged to be empowered. Art was the universal language. Students, young and old, inner city to suburban First Nations students  to Somali women in a EAL literacy programs, and  children and youth of every background, were treated equally and could communicate with each other through art, even if they could not through speech. Following the creation of the artworks, students were encouraged to write about what they created, sometimes with the help of translators.

Art Work Displayed at David Livingstone School

The exhibition included artwork submitted by all the students who participated in the various workshops and wished have the artwork displayed Int he Spirit of Humanity Student Exhibition at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery. Nearly 500 pieces were on display. A group of Somali women sang a traditional song at the opening. Lodha led John Henderson Junior High students in an Indian themed dance. Provincial Cabinet Ministers Flor Marcelino and Nancy Allen spoke  enthusiastically about the program and the need for such programs to be expanded and given wider exposure.

A second exhibition focusing on the lead artists/facilitators opened on June 24 and runs to September 18. It features art by Dirks, Lodha and Aboud, and Dr. M.K. Sharma from India. At the opening on June 24, a classical Bhartnatyam dance by Shivani Mathur, a student of India School of Dance, added to the festive nature of the opening. This second exhibition will end phase one of In the Spirit of Humanity. From the outset, In the Spirit of Humanity was conceived as a two phase project. Phase two is designated  document the project in the form of a book, as well as expand the workshops beyond Winnipeg and into the rest of the province. The fabulous success of phase one has inspired the team to work diligently and enthusiastically on launching phase two as quickly as possible.

Credits: Text & Photography- Manju Lodha and Ray Dirks