Let's Dance

Drawing activity suitable for all ages.

Pauta Saila’s Dancing Bear

Pauta Saila, Dancing Bear, 1984. Mottled dark grey stone, ivory, 51.2 x 38.8 x 22.8 cm. Gift of Samuel and Esther Sarick, Toronto, 2001. © Estate of Pauta Saila, courtesy Dorset Fine Arts. 2001/331.

Pauta Saila, Dancing Bear, 1984. Mottled dark grey stone, ivory, 51.2 x 38.8 x 22.8 cm. Gift of Samuel and Esther Sarick, Toronto, 2001. © Estate of Pauta Saila, courtesy Dorset Fine Arts. 2001/331.

Pauta Saila is known for his dancing bear sculptures. The stones he used are heavy, but his bears look light and graceful.

About Pauta Saila

“I like to carve what I feel, not merely what I see.” —Pauta Saila

Inuit artist Pauta Saila (1916–2009) is best known for his series of dancing bear sculptures. Soapstone was his favourite material to work with. Although Saila was also a skilled hunter, he focused his work in the early 1980s on carving.

Let's Dance - activity card

Questions

Pauta Saila said he likes to carve what he feels, not just what he sees. How do you feel right now? What three colours would you use to describe that feeling? Why?

Strike a Pose

With friends or family, play some music that makes you feel like dancing. After a few seconds, pause the music and pose like this bear. For fun, see how long you can stay in that position. Repeat! Draw your pose.

  • If you have access to a printer, print the activity card.

  • If you do not have access to a printer, follow along and draw your artworks using paper you have available at home.

  • Make your artwork as realistic or not as you wish!

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What does your final composition look like? What would you try if you did it again? Share it with us at #AGOmakes @AGOToronto

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