By Riley Schleining
Erin Button, commonly known around the halls as Ms. Button, is one of Collingwood’s many extremely talented yet overlooked artists. Most of the school’s faculty is just known by the students for what they teach, but, there is more to each story. Erin moved to Vancouver three years ago from Ontario, her home, after graduating from university. At university, she minored in fine arts, specifically in painting and drawing. She originally made the switch to the West Coast, Vancouver in particular, due to her love of nature and the outdoors and all the amazing opportunities it holds for exploring and experiencing one’s surroundings. At Collingwood, Ms. Button is a teaching intern, meaning that she floats as a substitute for classes like art, photography and other academics while also mainly holding a position in the PE and Art departments.
Erin did not become heavily involved in art until her later years of high school. Throughout her life she had been known as the ‘jock’ for her success and interest in sports. It was not until her grad year that she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in artistry. The reason for this decision, she explains, can be attributed to the wonderful teacher/mentor that taught her art all throughout high school. Her art teacher helped her realize her passion and gave her the courage to carry on with painting and drawing after school. At university, Erin entered art shows and contests and won multiple cash prizes for her work.
Erin did not become heavily involved in art until her later years of high school. Throughout her life she had been known as the ‘jock’ for her success and interest in sports. It was not until her grad year that she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in artistry. The reason for this decision, she explains, can be attributed to the wonderful teacher/mentor that taught her art all throughout high school. Her art teacher helped her realize her passion and gave her the courage to carry on with painting and drawing after school. At university, Erin entered art shows and contests and won multiple cash prizes for her work.
Currently, as Erin is focused on her job at Collingwood, painting and drawing fall into more of a pastime, although her love for it has not changed. Even with her extremely busy lifestyle, she still finds time to express herself through her art. Erin uses mainly acrylic paints, color conte, or just plain and simple pencil and paper. She describes her art as an outlet to relieve stress and a way of “being in the moment”. Not only does she create visual art, she also describes journaling as another expressive artistic pastime. Vancouver has been a great place for Erin to work on her art because of nature locations that create an ideal atmosphere.
For the future, Erin sees herself getting more involved in her artwork. She is considering taking classes next year at Emily Carr School of Art to get back into it. Since she is from Ontario, her connection to Emily Carr is a great way to commence further pursuing her artistic career. Her goal is to continue teaching, but also to continue learning in the process, not only about art but also about life experiences.
For the future, Erin sees herself getting more involved in her artwork. She is considering taking classes next year at Emily Carr School of Art to get back into it. Since she is from Ontario, her connection to Emily Carr is a great way to commence further pursuing her artistic career. Her goal is to continue teaching, but also to continue learning in the process, not only about art but also about life experiences.
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