Our incredible artists have been reconnecting with the joy of making art in the Swartley art building again. In our colorful studio we have been developing our own projects, looking at art, and discussing what it means to be an artist. Just like adult artists, they invent their own ideas, gather their materials, and start creating. This is called Student-Directed Art, and it promotes active learning and sustainable artistic behavior, confidence, and autonomy. Just like the works in a museum, students design work that is eclectic and meaningful to them. Every class starts with a five-minute demonstration where students learn new skills or look at art and then during their studio time they choose how they apply what they are learning.
In Kindergarten, we started the year by asking the question, “What is an artist?” We had a beautiful discussion that set the stage for some key concepts in the Lower School Art Curriculum: that they are all artists and that art is all around us. Older students have been reflecting on how artists get ideas and sharing their responses to inspire others. Some first graders get ideas by looking in nature, second graders recommend asking a friend, third graders say they follow where their minds take them, and fourth graders say they start art by drawing people they admire. Our fourth and fifth graders have also started the year by making vivid paper marbled prints in color and black and white. It’s truly captivating watching their designs swirl in water and then absorb onto paper. I am so proud of the way the Lower School students are learning, exploring, and honing their skills. Students are especially eager to delve into our next material: clay!
