Saturday, June 03, 2006

cK Goes to ESA's 25th Anniversary

cK and TBBM go back to where it all began

The place where it all began. The place where I met the Big Black Machine to become, "The Outsiders"... It is the Etobicoke School of the Arts.

ESA was celebrating their 25th Anniversary. The school, which was officially formed in 1981, was the first ever arts high school in Canada. Only selected applicants were admitted after successfully passing an audition. TBBM and I were the part graduating class of 1996, where we majored in visual arts.

To celebrate the anniversary, the school organized 2 events. One very posh event happening at the Drake Hotel on the Friday with live performances from school alumni, and then a gala performance happening at the school on the Saturday. TBBM and I skipped the Drake Hotel function only because it was set too early in the evening. We were busy on the Friday. The Saturday was more convenient to our schedules.

So we went to make our appearance. We haven't walked those halls in years. It brought back a lot of memories, and in some ways, it was almost like we never left. Our murals still hang up high in the school. My main one that I did, is now peeling and cracking up. 10 years later, of course. The huge eagle in the gymnasium, that TBBM and I did, still hangs... and has minor cracking, but is holding up quite well.

The mural in the gym that The Big Black Machine and I did with some other artists
CLICK HERE to see how the mural looked 10 years ago

Here are some pics from the night:

Alison McCabe and cK	Erick Noreiga and cK	cK and Sheralyn
cK with a retired staff member	Mr. Shumacher with TBBM	Noah with cK
Dance Group
Choir Group
Symphony Group

After standing in the halls for a bit, we met a lot of old faces. Some new too. I met from the class of 2005, a guy named Noah, and his friend, Max. They were cool and represented what the school stands for very well. I met some current 11th Grade artists that were hustling me to come and see their work in the sculpture room. So I went. It was mad hype. These guys were really talented.

One particular artist, Christian, totally reminded me of myself of when I was there. The similar styles, the coolness the way he was. He could be my next protege..... Anyways.... him and his group of guys were doing some performance art of their own. Breakdancing to beats while people were looking at their paintings and works in progress.

The one artist, named Mike was quite talented. He painted a portrait of a female that was very alluring. I would like to add some of his work to my collection one day!

cK getting a shirt	cK with the 11th Grade artists	cK with Mike

Well, that was pretty much it! Here is the video that TBBM and I took as we returned to the school for the first time in 10 years. Meeting current Grade Niners, Eleven-ers... and old school faculty such as Vice Principal, Mr. Falls, Guidance Counsellor, Mr. DeFehr, head custodian, Mr. Ridge, Science teacher, Mr. Scott and Physics Teacher, Mr. Shumacher.