When Art Became a Bridge
Every community has stories that deserve to be heard. At St. Pius X High School, students in the Arts and Culture SHSM program used paintbrushes, passion, and purpose to tell stories that too often go unseen.
Their student-led art exhibit, Showcase Your Origins, brought the community together to witness what happens when creativity becomes a call to action. Through powerful portraits and still-life pieces, students highlighted the lived experiences of women supported by Cornerstone Housing for Women, who are navigating homelessness, healing, and hope.
Opening Doors Through Creativity
The initiative was born from a partnership with Pébéo Art Supplies, whose Pébéo Days program pairs students with professional artists to help them expand their technical skills and explore how art can drive social change.
Guided by artist Max Black, students created two series of artwork: one portraying the quiet vulnerability of shelter spaces. These beds hold untold stories and another celebrating women who have moved into housing and are rebuilding their lives with strength and dignity.
Through this process, students didn’t just learn artistic techniques – they learned to listen, empathize, and use their talents to connect hearts and experiences across communities.
A Space to Belong — and to Give
As a Catholic school community, St. Pius X is deeply committed to nourishing new beginnings for its students and those in need across Ottawa. The Showcase Your Origins exhibit invites guests to take part in that mission.
A donation station welcomed attendees who contributed wish list items and monetary gifts to support Cornerstone’s work. Representatives from Cornerstone attended the event, sharing stories and insights about the journey from shelter to stability – a journey made possible through compassion, understanding, and community support.
Learning that Lives Beyond the Classroom
This project was a vivid example of what it means to Be Innovative in education. Students learned through real-world impact, gaining understanding, empathy, and a sense of purpose that extended beyond grades or assignments.
They lived the OCSB’s commitment to Be Well by recognizing the dignity of every person. They embodied Be Community by using their gifts to uplift and serve others.
In doing so, they opened doors, built bridges, and nourished new beginnings – not just for the women their art celebrated but also for themselves.
A Celebration of Creativity and Compassion
Showcase Your Origins was more than an exhibit; it was a movement of hope and humanity expressed through art. The creativity and compassion displayed by the students of St. Pius X High School left a lasting impression on everyone who attended – proving that when young people use their talents for good, they do not just reflect the world around them; they help change it.
