Bring art and creativity to life with this engaging unit on Canadian Artists!
Students will explore the work of 20 Canadian artists, learning about their lives, artistic styles, techniques, and the ideas that inspired their work. From landscapes and abstract art to Indigenous art and contemporary illustration, this unit helps children see how art reflects culture, history, and personal expression.
 
Through short readings, discussion questions, and hands-on art projects, students will:
 
Discover a variety of Canadian artists and their unique styles
Explore different artistic techniques, materials, and approaches
Learn how artists use colour, texture, perspective, and form
Observe and analyze artwork through guided questions
Create their own art inspired by each artist
Build a portfolio of meaningful and creative work
 
Each Lesson Includes:
A short, student-friendly artist biography
A featured artwork to explore with guided questions and prompts
A hands-on art assignment inspired by the artist 
 
Some of the artists in this unit include:
Tom Thomson
Emily Carr
Lawren Harris
Norval Morrisseau
Daphne Odjig
Christi Belcourt
Annie Pootoogook
Maud Lewis
Takao Tanabe
Bill Reid
Gershon Iskowitz
Barbara Reid
Rob Gonsalves
…and more
 
This unit is designed to be flexible for a wide range of ages, making it ideal for homeschool families or classroom use. It includes a basic lesson for younger children and an extension lesson for older students. With open-and-go lessons and minimal prep required, and using simple, accessible art supplies, it’s easy to bring meaningful art education into your day.
 
Help your students discover the beauty of Canadian art while building confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for artistic expression!