For this mixed-media project, Grade 4-6 students explored the beauty and ingenuity of Canada’s North. They learned about traditional igloos used by the Inuit in northern Canada—how they were carefully constructed from blocks of compacted snow and why their dome shape makes them a strong, efficient architectural structure for Arctic conditions.
"Igloo" (from Inuktitut iglu) means "house" or "home" in Inuit languages.
Inuit are the Indigenous people of the Arctic, numbering approx 70,545 in Canada, who primarily reside in Inuit Nunangat, a vast northern homeland spanning 40% of Canada's landmass and 72% of its coastline.
Students began by painting vibrant Northern Lights using watercolours, experimenting with colour blending and movement to capture the magic of the night sky. They sprinkled salt on the wet paint to create a textural effect. They then carefully drew their own igloo on a separate sheet, adding subtle shading to create dimension and form. Finally, they cut out their igloos and collaged them onto their painted backgrounds. These artworks celebrates both the natural beauty and innovative design of Canada’s northern landscape.
