This year’s 20-week Guggenheim residencies with PS 8 third and fourth graders wrapped up last week with celebrations both at school and at the museum. Learn more about the program, curricular connections and the ongoing exhibit below!
Third Grade:
What is the relationship between collaboration and community?
The third grade worked in groups to create 4′ x 8’ murals in acrylic of personal symbols. The students then posed in group tableaux in front of the murals. Each group represented common theme chosen by the students — everything from love to family to cooperation to energy. The symbols were inspired by a combination of Adinkra symbols, Kente cloth symbolic colors and the students’ own personal shapes. This year their artmaking was connected to their social studies curriculum of communities around the world, specifically different African countries. Students were inspired by the work of contemporary Ghanan artist El Anatsui, African American artist Kehinde Wiley, and Guggenheim favorite Wassily Kandinsky.
The show was great. I liked it a lot. There were a lot of people who came to see the exhibit. I wasn’t very nervous. People asked a lot about the artwork from PS 8. Our artwork was different from other classes because we did photography but others mostly did models and painting. I hope everyone gets a chance to go see it and enjoy! Cheythan W., Class 3-303
Fourth Grade:
How does connection happen?
The fourth grade this year was all about connection and response. Their final project had two parts: a group clay sculpture and a photograph taken in response to the sculpture. Supporting their English Language Arts curriculum of writing from multiple perspectives, each student responded to the sculptures by taking their own photograph, showing their own point of view. Students also worked in a variety of craft media including weavings on hula hoops, text and transfer print drawings, paint and shaving cream. Mentor artists included Banksy, Jemima Wyman, Kehinde Wiley and Christopher Wool.
Being a docent on May 8th at the “Year with Children” exhibition at the Guggenheim was great! Many people came to see my artwork, however, they didn’t ask as many questions as I expected. The questions most people asked were “What is it?” and “What inspired you?” About 5 or 6 people asked more interesting questions such as “What techniques did you learn?” or “What was the best or most interesting part of this activity?” When I answered their questions I never got tired, I felt happy and excited. In my presentation, I used all the skills that I learned from the training session. I spoke at my voice level 8 like they recommended. It was also nice meeting many other docents from different schools and I made some friends. I enjoyed the entire Guggenheim experience from class work to the final exhibition. Coco T., Class 4-308
Both grades made two trips to the Guggenheim so far and will soon be taking their third trip to visit “A Year With Children” showcasing work from all the Learning Through Art residencies in the 5 boroughs. The show will be open through June 18th.
By Jenny Bevill, Guggenheim LTA Teaching Artist
Photo Credit to Jenny Bevill