Annette ten Cate, Portrayal, Ceramic, 2023. 21 x 22.5 x 9 inches.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
One of the best parts of my job is helping to foster a relationship with art for young people. I truly believe that art can be a powerful tool in self-expression, and that by interacting with it we can better develop our own emotional awareness. When hosting students in our Galleries we hope to encourage empathy and self-reflection through meaningful conversations about the exhibitions on display. There is no better vehicle for that than through our latest exhibition A Hare-Raising Tale by Annette ten Cate.
A Hare-Raising Tale connects viewers with art through themes of resilience, renewal, and human growth. The artist has thoughtfully portrayed both herself and the people in her life as charming ceramic animals, but beneath their whimsical aesthetic lies a deeper narrative on love, loss, and the strength needed to persevere through adversity. This exhibition is unique in that it provides an entry point to discussing difficult topics, making it approachable on every level.
This exhibition has sparked meaningful conversation in every age range we have hosted. Never have I experienced a room full of youth so openly vulnerable and willing to share their experiences as I have inside the walls of this exhibition. School groups ranging from kindergarten to grade 9 have been toured through this exhibition, and all have found their own connection through these expressive figures. Our younger audiences are drawn to the emotions like happiness, sadness, or surprise in the animals’ faces, while teens can recognize deeper feelings like hope, confusion, identity and even grief. Viewing and interacting with this show helps them understand and articulate their own feelings, even the harder-to-express ones.
As a special addition to this exhibition, we’ve provided several schools the chance to learn directly from the artist. Ten Cate took the time to share her own stories of personal struggle and healing through the visual storytelling within her artwork, giving students a deeper connection to the art. Through sharing and providing insight into her artwork, students not only view each piece as a reflection of her journey but are also encouraged to think about their own.
One piece in particular, titled Portrayal, has incited varied interpretations-some students see a figure trying to fit in, while others view it as someone hiding their true self. It’s inspiring to witness how each viewer finds their own meaning in the art. Another fan-favourite among students is ten Cate’s playful twist on the classic game of spin the bottle. Instead of love-struck teens, she’s used her animal characters to represent the five stages of grief, which has really set the stage for conversations about change, healing, and the feelings we all go through.
Through the connections and conversations provoked by A Hare-Raising Tale, it’s clear that students have an appetite to engage and interact with art. This exhibition isn’t just about cute animals but rather a reminder that we’re all capable of growth, renewal, hope and change – even in tough times. Ten Cate’s exhibition makes talking about hard topics like loss and resilience feel approachable, proving that art really can spark meaningful conversations and connections with students.
Galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., before shows and during special events. Admission is always Pay What You Will. For more information about school tours and education programs for children, youth and adults, visit esplanade.ca or to register go to tixx.ca.
Dayna Walls is the education co-ordinator at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
