Inuksuk

Traditionally, Inuit people in the Arctic built Inuksuit's (plural) where the landscape had few distinguishing features to help them find their way to traditional hunting grounds, sacred places or home camps. 

Students shape clay into different rock formations, in order to build their own Inuksuk inspired standing sculpture. Inuk means “person” and suk means “substitute”.

*Note: All in school and virtual clay programs use air dry clay which is much less durable than clay that is bisque fired at our visual art studios. We cannot transport clay from in-school programs to the visual art studios for firing, but if your school has a kiln and a technician, we can supply suitable clay for firing at your school. 

Click here for information on in school techniques for finishing air dry clay.

Curriculum

• Art: refining forms, creative process, expression and celebration, fine and gross motor skill development
• Science: shapes, colours, animals, seasons, experimentation, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making
• Social: being together, belonging & connecting, communities in Canada (Inuit)

 

 

Student Outcomes

• Learn what clay is and where it comes from; why it is bisque fired in a kiln; how to use clay and clay tools safely in a professional studio
• Students connect with world cultures and experience diversity
• Examine a variety of different Inuksuit images, discuss the purpose of building these stone landmarks in harsh northern climates

 

 

Suggested Pairings

Exploring Art – Art Gallery of St. Albert

The Inuit – Musée Héritage Museum