Message From Canada

“Hello! I am an elementary school teacher in Ontario, Canada. I shared your artwork with my Grade 1 students and it sparked all sorts of meaningful discussions with these six-year-olds. Thank you for creating with bananas!”

Pamela Merrin, Norwood District Public School.

So I suggested a banana bruising workshop. What would it take to make that happen?   

There’s 3,451 km between us. And the Atlantic Ocean. 

Some imagination, determination, phone calls and emails later…

And I was welcomed by 38 beaming six-year-olds. 

Ready to begin my first Canadian primary school banana bruising class.

I used to live in Ontario at their age so this felt extra special.

After sharing my story and a banana art demonstration, I was in the hot seat for a Q&A. Then I set them their challenge.

Over the next hour and a half they set about creating their own banana art.

Each child developed a Banana Bruiser plan. First they sketched out their ideas on paper. 

Then it was time to bring the bananas out. 

Mrs Merrin came armed and ready. Each banana carefully selected. Ripe and yellow but not yet bruised. 

With the help of her distribution partner Ethan, the bananas were handed out. 

Using their banana bruiser tools, the children pressed into the peel. As they worked, the bruise began to develop and the marks became darker.

Gradually their drawings came to life. Little creatures and critters started to appear. 

An hour later and 38 six-year-old banana artists had created 38 unique pieces of banana art.

“The children were so excited and felt so special carrying their bananas down the hall” - Pamela.

Thank you to Pamela and the Grade 1 students of Norwood District Public School for inviting me into your classroom.

The pleasure of creativity is the joy of sharing it with others.

Post Script: And it spread to the packed lunch-makers!

One Grade 1 student got this surprise message in their lunch box later in the week.