Pre-K's Rotunda Gallery Residency 2009
Written by Alison Clarke
Photography by Ulalume Zavla
It's Tuesday morning and the pre-K classes' creative juices are flowing. Rotunda Gallery's artist educator, Monique, is discussing Pat Steir and her paintings of waterfalls. Great artists are the inspiration for the curriculum developed jointly with Pre-K teachers. In fact, several of their works hang in the classroom: there are pipe cleaner fish tank sculptures and more abstract wire sculptures inspired by Alexander Calder and two dimensional works featuring geometric shapes inspired by Mondrian.
This morning the visiting artist leads a discussion with the children before they begin the day's project. She talks about techniques and shows the students images of the great artists' work. The students are following along, responding to the images in the book of Pat Stier's creations. "It looks like a pancake!" says one student "it's the city at night" says another.
To introduce watercolor, Monique demonstrates the technique. She asks the students what is different from other materials they have used. "You need water to use the paints" volunteers one child. The artist demonstrates that you can add water before you paint with color and you can paint colors on top of each other. The students disperse, heading to the tables outfitted with drop cloths and supplies. When they embark on their projects, the conversation is lively. The students are expressing themselves on paper. They are talking about what they are doing and observing what their neighbors are working on. As the creative time draws to a close, the session ends with a discussion. They're planning to collaborate on a large scale work next, working outside since the weather has warmed up. This enrichment program concludes in May with the KidsArt exhibition, where work from arts partnerships with NYC schools will be installed.
BRIC Contemporary Art presents exhibitions, public events, and an innovative arts education program at BRIC Rotunda Gallery and around the borough. Rotunda Gallery's visiting artist program is brought to PS8 with funds raised by the PTA. For more information, visit the gallery at 33 Clinton Street or go to http://www.briconline.org/rotunda/aboutrotunda.asp.
Posted on: June 14, 2009
