TANTALIZING TESSELLATIONS: EXPLORING THE WORK OF DYLAN THOMAS

Offered by

Last updated on

Tuesday, July 28th, 2026

Experience type:

In-Person

Program Description

September 14, 2026-June 25, 2027

Discover the interwoven worlds of math and art. Using tessellations as a foundation, each workshop explores pattern making and mathematical elements of design. Workshops examine the artwork of Coast Salish contemporary artist Dylan Thomas, and how he has connected math and geometry to his art practice.

Curriculum tie-ins: Art Education, Indigenous Art, Earth Science, Math, STEAM

Big Ideas

Effective collaboration relies on clear, respectful communication.

Everything we learn helps us to develop skills.

Effective collaboration relies on clear, respectful communication.

Everything we learn helps us to develop skills.

Exploring our strengths and abilities can help us identify our goals.

New experiences, both within and outside of school, expand our career skill set and options.

Safe environments depend on everyone following safety rules.

New experiences, both within and outside of school, expand our career skill set and options.

Safe environments depend on everyone following safety rules.

Designs grow out of natural curiosity.

Skills can be developed through play.

Designs grow out of natural curiosity.

Skills can be developed through play.

Designs can be improved with prototyping and testing.

Skills are developed through practice, effort, and action.

The choice of technology and tools depends on the task.

Designs can be improved with prototyping and testing.

Skills are developed through practice, effort, and action.

The choice of technology and tools depends on the task.

Complex tasks require the acquisition of additional skills.

Design can be responsive to identified needs.

Complex tasks require the acquisition of additional skills.

Design can be responsive to identified needs.

Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.

The regular change in increasing patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations.

Regular increases and decreases in patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations.

Standard units are used to describe, measure, and compare attributes of objects’ shapes.

Analyzing and interpreting experiments in data probability develops an understanding of chance.

Polygons are closed shapes with similar attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.

Closed shapes have area and perimeter that can be described, measured, and compared.

Data from the results of an experiment can be used to predict the theoretical probability of an event and to compare and interpret.

Linear relations can be identified and represented using expressions with variables and line graphs and can be used to form generalizations.

Creative expression develops our unique identity and voice.

Inquiry through the arts creates opportunities for risk taking.

Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.

The mind and body work together when creating works of art.

Artists experiment in a variety of ways to discover new possibilities.

Artists experiment in a variety of ways to discover new possibilities and perspectives.

COVID Precautions

School programs at Burnaby Art Gallery have been reviewed, revamped, and rebuilt to consider safety parameters regarding the pandemic.

This includes:

enhancing supplies
individualizing art kits
distanced learning options

Trip Details

City:

Burnaby

For Grades:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Months Available:

January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December

Days Offered:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Times Offered:

9:00 am, Outreach Kit/Online Resource, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm

Duration:

90 minutes unless otherwise stated.

Maximum Students:

Offered In French:

Also Offered For:

Adult Groups, Daycamps, Guides, Homeschool, Other

Packages Provided:

Both Pre-Visit and Post-Visit Packages, Pre-Visit Information Package

Fee Details

Fee Notes:

Zone A schools: Schools in Burnaby School District

» Min. 2 workshops / $139.80 per class

Zone B schools: New West, Vancouver east of Main, Coquitlam, Port Moody

» Min. 3 workshops / $144.95 per class

Zone C schools: Vancouver west of Main, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, West Vancouver, Delta

» Min. 3 workshops / $150.15 per class

Online options available, please connect to learn more.

Additional Notes

Technical Needs

Please have:
 Computer (laptop/desktop/tablet) with USB Port that can connect to a projector in the classroom.
 PowerPoint or a PDF reader installed
 Projector
 Connector cables (to connect projector and computer)
 Projection screen to view presentation
The Burnaby School District has AV equipment available for schools in need. Please contact your district office.
As we will be bringing framed artwork into the classroom, it would be ideal to have a ledge or shelf accessible for display.

TANTALIZING TESSELLATIONS: EXPLORING THE WORK OF DYLAN THOMAS

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