A Celebration of Creativity

The Stoker Arts Festival brought a special energy to campus, with something happening in almost every corner of the school. It was one of those days where you could wander from space to space and always find something new going on.

The day was organized by Emerson K., a Form VII student and prefect, whose leadership brought the entire festival to life. He opened the day in Chapel with a speech that set the tone, highlighting the importance of creativity and encouraging students to step outside their usual routines:

"We live through art, we eat it every morning, we listen to it in the walks between classes, we rest within its walls every night, and wake up every morning entirely surrounded by it. As Picasso so put it ‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.’ It is for this reason that art must be celebrated and cherished, without it, life risks becoming an endless and mundane routine.

The Stoker Arts Festival is a celebration of exactly that. It’s a gathering of local artists and students, and an opportunity for everyone at BCS, regardless of background, to learn the intricacies of several different kinds of art: from baking to skating and from sketching to strategy. Its beauty lies in its spirit of participation. Today, many of you will be taught these skills by your peers and students who once learned them through mentors of their own, so that they may be passed down and practiced in the future.

None of this would have been possible however, without the contributions made by the Stoker family. Patrick Stoker, grand nephew of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, attended the school in 1936 as a form 5 student with a great passion for the art of photography, later documenting the construction of Grant Hall. Shirley Stoker, his future wife, was a student at Kings Hall College some years later who both excelled in athletics and strongly admired the arts, later becoming the first female Board Chair to BCS. The Stoker Arts Festival was created as a tribute to both Shirley and Patrick’s contributions, artistic and otherwise, to the school and has proudly continued for 35 years as of today.

Today is meant for you to both observe art and immerse yourself in it. To try something new, to learn from your peers, and recognize the creativity that surrounds all of us every day. Whether you are here to teach, to learn, or to observe, you are all a part of what makes this festival so special.

Thank you and enjoy the festival!”

And with that, the day had begun!

Across the houses, students stepped into the kitchen for a series of baking and cooking workshops. In Gillard House, the space was filled with the scent of freshly baked cookies and carefully assembled tiramisu where students worked through each step together. Meanwhile, in Smith House, students were introduced to the art of makimono, learning how to prepare, roll, and cut their own sushi. These sessions offered a balance of skill-building and creativity, with plenty of room for experimentation along the way.

At the same time, different art workshops were running throughout the houses and campus. There was a bit of everything — magnet making, magazine design, bracelet making — and students were free to sign up to their favourite activities and try out different mediums. Each room had its own vibe, but they all shared the same creative energy that makes BCS so special!

In the rink, students had the chance to try something completely different, learning how to skateboard with the help of a professional. Around campus, others were exploring photography, heading outside to capture moments before learning how to develop film. The theatre also hosted a range of performing arts activities including improv sessions and introductory workshops in drumming and guitar led by our music teachers.

The band and choir concert, held in the Chapel, was another highlight. The performance featured a range of pieces including “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters and even included an a cappella segment.

To close the festival, the BCS Players’ Club debuted their production of The Addams Family: The Musical. The performance brought together weeks of preparation and dedication, serving as a strong and fitting finale to a day centred around creativity. 

The Stoker Arts Festival highlighted the depth and diversity of artistic talent at BCS, while also creating space for students to explore, participate, and connect. It was a day that reflected not only creativity, but the spirit of the community behind it.

Learn about Stoker Arts Festival Legacy

Hear more from BCS Players' Club