Art has an impact on society since it can sway people's minds and establish ideals. Art can be seen as a form of communication that allows people from many communities, cultures, and countries to communicate with one another through visuals and sounds. Art is frequently used to influence social change in our world and an example where art has been used in the past to demonstrate this is at churches. Many churches use visual art pieces to visually communicate stories of God and they also use many songs to verbally communicate. Many religious institutions and community organizations can make use of artist's talents by collaborating with them to create pieces that demonstrate both sides' core beliefs and values which will bring awareness to their causes.

 

My main art discipline is dance, but more specifically ballet. I have been a ballet dancer since I was five years old and decided to pursue it professionally when I reached grade six. In grade five I auditioned for The Canada’s National Ballet School and made it in for the full time program for grade six. There I could extend my knowledge of ballet to the limit as the dance and school schedule were interlaced. I always thought of how amazing the school system there was because you could earn art and physical education credits for doing your mandatory ballet classes everyday! I also enjoyed the smaller class sizes as they were very hands on and helpful with accommodating each student's needs. Going to a ballet school did however take a toll on me. I made lots of amazing friends there but the ballet world doesn’t have room for everyone and it’s a  very competitive school. So competitive that every year they drop students. The rules there were strict as it was an elite private school and to top everything off the school was in Toronto so I lived on campus there away from my parents. Living away from home at grade six to nine was both fun and scary, though I could always go home on weekends and holidays, it was very lonely sometimes. I think I realized I wanted to change my life when the pandemic hit. I wanted to try new things because all my life I spent time there dancing. In the end I left that school and came to Sacred Heart. I wanted to experience a more open school environment where I wasn't always pressured or competing to be the best. This year I am in grade ten and starting a new chapter in my life. I still dance ballet, but no one should ever feel stuck in one place their whole life. Plus it’s always fun to try new things!