Hang It Up!

For my first blog, I have found inspiration in past NAEA blogs, especially Nate Morgan’s dialogue on sharing our experiences of when and how art became important in our lives.

I have always loved to draw, and I did much more of it when I was a child. My parents always complimented and encouraged my artwork when I was growing up. One memorable experience from the elementary school years was when I drew and colored a picture of a small country cabin with farm animals. My father loved the drawing, and he placed it in a plastic frame from Kmart and hung it on the wall! In my mind, that frame elevated my work to new heights. It was hanging on the wall! My heart was full, and I felt pride! I don’t know where the picture is now, but I do remember that I did a pretty good job with foreground, middle ground and background, and I added lots of detail. As a child, I also loved to draw portraits. I remember having my grandfather pose for a pencil portrait. He remained still for me for a very long time! I wonder today what he was thinking…was he bored or amused? That portrait, too, made it into a frame and was hung on the wall. These memories are still so vivid for me.

Today many of us who teach elementary school have the opportunity to work with companies such as Artomé or Kids ArtFairs. These companies specialize in framing student artworks and producing art shows for schools. The exhibits feature art displayed in black frames with mats on professional display systems. Our art show for Sweet Apple Elementary will take place in March 2010 to celebrate Youth Art Month. I believe that the school-wide art show, whether it is professionally produced or produced by hanging every student’s art on the wall, is an important community-building event and a source of pride for each student. Not only do the students see their art displayed, families visit to view and discuss the art. This is advocacy in its best form! Our school has been conducting successful art shows for a number of years due to the initiative of my colleague, Ms. K, who arrived at Sweet Apple several years before me.  

     
 
There is a strong rationale behind conducting a school-wide art show. We have the opportunity to showcase EVERY student’s artwork. When hundreds of students’ artworks are hanging at the same time, they feel like they are part of something big! When we take time to really look, we begin to perceive the learning that is conveyed from our student artists. Students and visitors engage with the artworks, thus increasing their awareness and appreciation for student art, art education, and the school art program. Every student has been inspired and encouraged to do his/her best work in creating their art. The prospect of the big exhibit is quite motivating for some students. Another benefit is that our art show functions as a fundraiser. Parents or relatives can purchase the mat and frame and a portion of the profits go back to the school.

I would like to pose the following questions--why is exhibiting art essential to the total process of learning in the visual arts? How does a school-wide art exhibit help build a quality art program or build community within a school? How does it differ for elementary, middle and high school programs? How do you instill pride in your students? What other values are gained through school-wide art events? Share your ideas, your rationale and your greatest successes and challenges…

Many thanks to Pam Morgan, Cherokee County art teacher and 2010 GAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year, for allowing me to post the photos from your school-wide art show!)

-Drew Brown
Art Educator
Past President, GAEA
The Georgia Art Education Association is committed to quality visual art education for all learners, provided by certified art educators. "ART FOR ALL!"