Visual imagery (iconography) in the form of advertising, design, logos, murals, book covers, newspaper headlines — and basically every aspect of our environment — continues to be a major influence on idea-making, communication, politics, inspiration, and beautification in our society. It influences what our cities look like, our fashions, the cars we drive, our food and health choices, political campaigns, and how we get our information which influences our day-to-day thinking. There are individuals who express themselves much more fluidly in the visual/ kinesthetic realm than in the more traditional academic realm. This is why the art program at any school, especially at a school like Green Tree, is vital as an educational and therapeutic tool toward self-discovery and empowerment. The Art Program at Green Tree School caters to grades K-12, including the ASD program. Classes are tailored to individual and group needs.

An important element of learning is problem-solving and the approach to art makes good use of this element when a student is encouraged to creatively design an object from a sketch idea to a finished piece. The artwork may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional using a whole gamut of materials and techniques. It may be an individual’s work fostering independent thought or a group activity fostering community and team-building. All these approaches contribute to life skills on a larger sphere that are useful in any discipline. Some of the art lessons are cross-curriculum and help underscore what the students are learning in their other subjects. When learning to “scale up” a smaller image on a grid in order to transfer it to a larger surface, as in a mural, the student is using mathematics. Chemistry is involved when an art student becomes familiar with the various solvents needed to thin out different types of paint. Social Studies is involved when creating a full-size mummy or writing one’s name in hieroglyphics. Coordination and focus is developed in the younger grades while using new art tools, as well as learning an “art vocabulary.”

Some of last year’s projects included:

• Mask making, both clay and papier mache

• Puppet-making (Sewn hand puppets, and giant box puppets)

• Found object sculptures (including creative shoe art)

• Collage

• Still Life (drawing, watercolor)

• Art history presentations, including internet art research

• Self-portraits

• Origami

• Tile design / mosaic

• Murals

• Designing a Papyrus sheet or a mudcloth with a computer application

• T-shirt designs, etc.

The school-wide art exhibit joined other subject exhibits in a well-attended open house in the spring. Because Green Tree is situated in a very diverse neighborhood, the lower school was able to go on a nearby field trip to a mosaic studio to create holiday gifts. The end of the year ended with the lower school’s “Giant Puppet Parade,” a choreographed presentation with the ASD students attending and Mr. Richards’ musical support. A fun time was had by all. This event also connected art with theater and music and community. The goal is to make art and creativity a part of students’ everyday experience in a joyful way. Plans for next year are to invite more local artists to share their inspiration with our students and more art field trips! Stay tuned…

Written by Zipora Schulz, Art Teacher K-12, 2006