From April 30th until May 24th, students in Grades 7 and 8 (ages 11–13) from Westmont Montessori School present their work at the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre in an exhibition centered on the theme “Change”. Open-ended and expansive, this theme invites reflection on transformation in many forms; personal, social, economic, and political. Their work offers insight into how young people see and interpret a world in motion.
The art program at Westmont is deeply connected to the classroom. Rather than standing alone, it moves alongside studies in geography, science, mathematics, language, and social studies. Ideas are explored across disciplines, and learning becomes a cycle: inquiry leads to creation, and creation deepens understanding. Students are given the freedom to choose their materials and direction, while guided lessons support both technical skill and conceptual growth.
Under the topic Change, students have explored ancient trade routes and the lasting impact these routes had on societies and landscapes. They have considered how the movement of goods also carried ideas, technologies, and cultural practices across regions. Alongside this, students have engaged with the complexities of climate change, examining Earth’s systems and the ways environmental shifts affect human life. First Peoples’ knowledge and histories are an essential part of this learning, grounding students in perspectives that emphasize relationship, responsibility, and continuity.
Change becomes the thread that connects these explorations. In their artwork, students reflect on transformation over time and in the present moment. They ask questions about movement, impact, and adaptation and consider their own place within these shifting systems.
This exhibition is a collection of those reflections. It is a space where student voice, curiosity, and perspective come forward, offering a glimpse into how the next generation is learning to see, understand, and shape an increasingly changing world.
