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Contemporary Art at ESA

ESA Contemporary Art and ESA Contemporary Photography are dedicated communities of outstanding people, investigating meaningful opportunities for personal and collective development through the mechanisms of a conceptually based contemporary art practice.

Visit our website at contemporaryartcommunity.com >
SKIP to Course Descriptions | Frequently Asked Questions
Link to Feature Article in Canadian Art Magazine
Click here to go to our YouTube Channel: ESA Contemporary Art
Check out this three year run of our Exhibitions

Click here to view our Etobicoke Fashion Show 2022 video

ESACA Art Talks can be viewed on our YouTube channel

Graduating students have been accepted into a wide range of post-secondary programs including: Engineering, Science, Space Engineering, Photography, History, Aerospace Engineering, Science and Aviation, Creative Writing, Pre-Law, Molecular Biology, Life Science, Cognitive Science, Laboratory Medicine, Digital Photography,  Bio Medical Engineering, Accounting, Nursing, Bio Medical Science, Environmental Science, Studio Art, Painting and Drawing, Fashion Design, Physics, Chemistry, Fashion Marketing, Illustration, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Sculpture, Medical Illustration, Arts and Science, Vic One, the Schulich School of Business, the Rotman School of Business, Humanities, Animation, Knowledge Integration, Global Business and Digital Art, and General Science.

For the most up to date information, follow us on Instagram at esa_contemporary_art and esa_contemporary_photography.

Course Descriptions

VISUAL ARTS GRADE 10 – AVI 2O1/AWT2O1   
These courses emphasize learning through practice, and introducing students to concepts, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. 

VISUAL ARTS GRADE 11 – AVI 3M1/AWT 3M1    
Grade 11 is opportunity to further a studio practice and tackle specific approaches to contemporary themes and issues.

VISUAL ARTS GRADE 12 – AVI 4M1/AWT 4M1   
Students explore personally chosen conceptual frameworks to further individual and community development. 

PHOTOGRAPHY I – Grade 10 AWQ 201
This course examines the role that art and photography have in the contemporary world. While students will develop skills in digital camera use, as well as scanning, lighting and exhibiting work – emphasis will be on exploring ideas and finding ones own voice in photography . Experimenting with creative options will be encouraged. Students will analyze photographs, study aspects of 21st century art photography as they relate to contemporary contexts.

PHOTOGRAPHY II – Grade 11 AWQ 3M1
This course aims to prepare students to develop a direction and aesthetic that is unique to their own interests. By researching, discussing and deconstructing their role in contemporary art photography, students will equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to create a portfolio designed for post-secondary programs in Visual Arts, Fashion, Design, Photography, Film, Animation, Advertising or Architecture. Students will be encouraged and supported in finding exhibition and contest opportunities that will both mark their achievement and prepare them for the art world and university applications.


Prerequisite AWQ2O1

PHOTOGRAPHY III – Grade 12 AWQ 4M1
An advanced photography program for students who are serious about developing their artistic practice and building a portfolio for post-secondary institutions. Students will crate and nurture thoughtful, independent work for the contemporary world. Along with the research, skills development and critiquing, students in this course will learn how to apply to portfolio based post-secondary programs and the will have the option of participating in ESA’s Portfolio Day.
Prerequisite AWQ 3M1.

If you have any questions please contact Shannon Hamilton, ACL of Visual Art, at shannon.hamilton@tdsb.on.ca