Mysterious Art
Written by Michele LaBella
Photography by Nathalie Schueller
One of PS 8's Enrichment Programs is the Guggenheim Museum's Learning Through Art program, which is run by Jenny Bevill, a teaching artist at the Guggenheim. Her assistant, Rachel Tengowski, is an artist and manager of visitors' services at the Museum of Modern Art. Ms. Bevill's general mission is to work with 3rd and 4th grade students at PS 8 on art projects that are related to their curriculum. As part of the program, students visit the Guggenheim three times during the year and view slides of artwork to promote open-ended thinking--what was the artist feeling and thinking.
On May 8, 4th grade students presented visitors with an exhibition. Their art lined the hallways outside 4th grade classrooms. Since they all had completed one 20-week residency in the Guggenheim program in 3rd grade, they are now considered master painters. Ms. Bevill stated that the 4th graders learned to tell stories with their art using gesture, expression, composition, color mixing, and brushwork. She outlined the students' goals for the year, which were: 1) more independent work, i.e., not just solving problems, but actually choosing a problem to solve or posing a question to answer, 2) getting an idea, recognizing it as an idea, and working to refine it into a good idea, and 3) bringing what they learned into a reflective, substantive, student-driven project.
The students were given certain directives: all colors used were to be mixed from the three primary colors, white, and black; the pictures had to look different (e.g., using various sizes and subject matter, working alone or with others, and the art was abstract or realistic); and each student had to be able to talk about what they did and why it matters to them. In the end, the 4th graders created mystery portraits--paintings or pastel drawings of people, places, animals, sounds, and smells. Beneath each piece of art, the artist(s) posed a question in the form of a riddle and an answer. More importantly, their art was the answer.
In each classroom a laptop played a slideshow that demonstrated what it looks like when students are expressing themselves. For instance, they stand up or lay on the floor, move their bodies (not just their hands), concentrate and are engaged, and get messy. In addition, refreshments were served and student docents showed 3rd graders around the exhibits, explaining the premise for each piece of art, where the ideas came from, and what the pieces represent. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this event and was gratified to find that the art came from truly talented, inspired, and insightful students.
Note: From May 13-August 9, the Guggenheim presents its exhibit--A Year With Children, which showcases art by students participating in the Learning Through Art program. This program places professional teaching artists in New York City public elementary schools. The exhibit includes PS 8 artwork: 10 pieces by 3rd grade artists and 10 pieces by 4th grade artists. Go to the Guggenheim Press Release for more information.
Posted on: June 12, 2009
