Set against a background of her paintings and the Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, landscapes they depict, this short documentary is a portrait of the life and work of one of Canada's foremost primitive painters, Maud Lewis. Emerging from her youth crippled with arthritis, Lewis escaped into her painting at the age of 30. She had never seen a work of art and had never attended an art class but her paintings captured the simple strength, beauty and happiness of the world she saw - a world without shadows.
Ages 9 to 12
Arts Education - Visual Arts
Health/Personal Development - Mental Health/Stress/Suicide
Science - Biology
Students research other Canadian artists, present biographies. How is Maud’s story unique? What is meant by the phrase, “a world without shadows”? Research arthritis and other famous people with the disease. How have they overcome the challenges of living with arthritis? Create artwork in Lewis’ style using local settings; host an art show at school or in community to raise money for The Arthritis Society or other charity.