Fine Arts

Lana Kostenuk is an artist at heart. She has forever seen art in all aspects of life, and leans towards creative pursuits whenever possible. IB advanced art courses dominated her high school career, and her love for art inevitably trickled into her post-secondary education. Since then she has continued to seek out art opportunities, understanding that there is infinite beauty in the creative process. Lana adores igniting her passion for the arts in the hearts of those around her, and feels blessed to be part of shaping young creative minds.

LeeAnn Arsenault is delighted to serve as the Music Specialist and Faith Coach at St. Martin de Porres School. She has been involved in music since the age of 8, starting with singing in the church choir. Her passion for music has only continued to grow, leading her to become an elementary music specialist and choir director throughout her teaching career. With 27 years of experience under her belt, LeeAnn has led choirs, participated as the music director/vocal coach of many musical productions, and played a key role in music ministry at Mass. In 2022, Ms. Arsenault joined St. Martin de Porres School and established a school choir and took on the role of musical director for our annual musicals. She is thrilled to be able to return to her musical roots and nurture the joy and creativity of music with all her students.

Melanie Nightingale has been involved in the art of dance since childhood. Her training encompasses years at a dance studio in Calgary, as well as a summer at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, courses with the University of Calgary's dance program, and a season with EDGE Performing Arts Centre in Los Angeles. Upon returning to Calgary, Melanie began teaching at Foothills Academy of Dance and Premiere Dance Academy. She was also a founding member of the non-profit dance company En Corps Dance Collective. For the past three years she has choreographed for the St. Martin de Porres productions. She is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with the students at St. Martin.

At St. Martin de Porres, students have the unique experience of taking Drama class from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Younger students start by learning to structure imaginative play into whole-class experiences. In older grades, students create their own scenes using a variety of dramatic forms either by themselves or in groups. Drama in elementary school is an opportunity to learn about collaboration, empathy, and artistry. It is also a benefit to early literacy development. There are many extracurricular opportunities for students to grow in their Drama skills. Students in Grades 4 and 5 are able to audition for featured parts in our annual Christmas musical as well as perform at the Red Deer Festival of the Performing Arts.

Music classes at St. Martin de Porres use the Comprehensive Music model. Students are exposed to a wide variety of instruments and techniques as they read, sing, play, and create Music! In class, students have the opportunity to play instruments such as Boomwhackers, djembe drums, ukuleles, and tone chimes. All students perform several songs at our annual Christmas musical. Students who are passionate about Music are able to join our choir that performs at many community events such as Rebels hockey games, the Red Deer Festival of the Performing Arts, and Choir Kids. There is also an opportunity for students to lead in song at our school liturgies and Masses. 

At St. Martin de Porres, students are immersed in visual arts through all subjects in classroom integration as well as weekly art classes with a specialist teacher from Grades 1-5. In weekly art classes, students focus on art history, artists, techniques, a variety of mediums to create magnificent displays for the school. St. Martin de Porres has had successful art shows and has Art Zones for each grade where students are engrossed in extensive projects for half-day sessions multiple times throughout the year. Art in elementary school is a time to explore, to take chances, and to turn mistakes into happy accidents that are celebrated in their creations! There is a weekly drawing club for any interested student and numerous opportunities for sharing their creativity with activities throughout the year.

Faith and the arts go hand in hand at St Martin de Porres School. You will see our Catholic faith come alive through the arts at our school-based celebrations and our Masses at Sacred Heart Parish. We practice faith permeation where our teachers show students how God is present in all of the subjects they learn about. Prayer is an important part of our school culture and students learn to write and lead their own prayers. Students at St Martin have an opportunity to put their faith into action through various Social Justice projects such as hot dog sales to benefit community organizations, Food Bank collections, and a partnership with Bethany Care Centre at Red Deer College.