“I wish they did that when I was in high school,” was what my parents said collectively, when they heard about Innisdale’s Integrated Arts Program.

Instead of a regular onecredit, one-hour per day course, Integrated Arts covers the entire day, and rewards four credits upon passing.

The arts specialty course offers students the chance to exercise their own independence, creativity and flexibility by allowing them to select their own art medium and topic to major in.

“I took Integrated Arts because I was interested in not only the challenge of the course, but also taking on a leadership role from an arts perspective,” said Sharon Mulrain, a Grade 12 Integrated student.

Alyson McClean, a returning graduate of Innisdale, says that she took Integrated mainly because she really was unsure as to what she wanted to do following high school, and hoped that staying back and taking the course would help her to grow.

Similarly, Tyler Matheson took the course because he was inspired by the previous class’s creativity and determination.

This year’s Integrated students are covering just about every art medium, from musicians, visual artists, and even photographers, all with the same goal in mind.

Carly Tierney, another returning graduate, has chosen to produce a music CD, while Sharon Mulrain is creating a complete installation visual piece. Each Integrated student’s piece has a deep, personal meaning.

“I feel like I’m almost giving a reason to people,” Mulrain says. “A reason of why I am who I am, and a reason as to how one thing leads to another.”

At the end of the semester, each student’s artwork will be displayed at Innisdale’s Integrated Arts Showcase, a huge event that will celebrate the work they have put in over the semester.

On top of creating their final pieces to be displayed in the showcase, the group of students is also responsible for organizing the entire event; creating teams of students responsible for promotions, decorating, food and even a website.

Between being stuck with the group in a small classroom all day, and being forced to work together, the Integrated crew has almost become a family.

"As an adult, we will be working with people each and every day, and this experience is very relevant to that,” said Mulrain. “No matter what relationship position you are with another person in the room, you have to deal with it and find a way to work it out.”

It’s not just about the students either. The teachers become very involved with the students. In a sense, they have become true mentors, there not to tell a student that their artwork is right or wrong, but to inspire them to be the best they can be.

Christopher Taylor, the afternoon Integrated teacher, accepts no excuses, and motivates students to do their best work, because anything less than that just isn’t acceptable.

“Integrated pretty much leaves you independent and allows you to be who you want to be, and do what you want to do,” Mulrain said. “Integrated really just teaches students what they seem to lack now days and what they truly need: independence and self-motivation.”

The showcase will be held on Jan. 19, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., at Innisdale.