This spring, Fraser Academy’s Junior School students proudly showcased their creative talents in a public art exhibition at Arts Umbrella, on display from April 3–14. Opening night drew a packed house, celebrating the artistic expression and learning journeys of our young students.

The exhibit was part of Fraser for the Fraser—a school-wide, year-long interdisciplinary exploration of the Fraser River’s history, ecology, industries, and cultural importance. Every student from Grades 3–12 engaged with this theme across multiple subject areas, making connections between science, social studies, art, Indigenous knowledge, and more.

“Our students live, work, learn, and play in the Fraser River estuary. This project was designed to bring awareness to the Fraser’s incredible biodiversity—and the threats it faces. Place-based learning like this helps students understand their local surroundings and feel empowered to protect them,” explains Ms. Gordon, Team Lead, Cross Curricular Program.

The Junior School exhibition featured a dynamic array of artwork, including paintings, clay sculptures, and chalk compositions—each piece reflecting a personal and creative response to what students learned about the Fraser River watershed.

For neurodiverse learners, and particularly students with dyslexia, projects like this offer more than just artistic expression. They’re a research-based way to deepen comprehension.

“Hands-on, experiential learning helps our students retain concepts by creating meaningful connections. Arts integration allows them to express themselves in ways that align with how they learn best,” says Ms. Gordon. 

A highlight of the show was the debut of the Grade 6 art book Animals of the Fraser River Watershed—a stunning collection of student-created writing and artwork that explores local species through an interdisciplinary lens. This book was made possible through generous support from Pooni Group, whose contribution allowed students to see their work professionally published.

The Fraser for the Fraser project is more than an art showcase—it’s a powerful example of how place-based, arts-integrated education fosters curiosity, confidence, and connection.

Interested in a copy of Animals of the Fraser River Watershed? Copies are available by donation. Click here to express interest.