Artistic Flourish LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOW MUSEUM-QUALITY CREATIVITY BY AIDA BUSTOS GARCIA
PHOTOS BY HEATHER GRAY
Squiggly lines, bright colors, images of people and objects in oddly proportioned shapes and sizes—these imaginative ingredients were all placed with care into joyous collages crafted by students in Grade 2. The youthful creativity caught the eye of San Diego Museum of Art judges who selected three artworks from Parker’s youngest artists to be displayed alongside the museum’s permanent collection. The exhibit, “Young Art 2015: Visualizing Music,” which explored the creative intersection of art and music, also included a painting by a Parker Grade 7 student. Some 700 students countywide, in Kindergarten through Grade 12, competed for 300 spots in the exhibit. An audio guide narrated by the artists and student-led tours were among the family-friendly activities offered during the museum show. “There’s power in exhibiting artwork,” said Margo Sharpe, who teaches art in the Lower School. “It gives the students an opportunity to talk about their work to the audience, to explain the emotions behind it. And it’s very encouraging.”
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Art also frees the imagination. That unscripted expression is precisely why 7-year-old Jayden Haims says she loves the class. “I can let my mind go free and do what I want,” said Jayden.
It was such a great honor to be in the museum. – AUDREY FUNDINGSLAND
She and Audrey Fundingsland created one of the collages selected for the Museum of Art exhibit. Jayden said the friendship she shares with two “very, very good friends” was the inspiration for their piece showing three young women playing instruments. “We thought it would be fun to show friends working together in a band,” said Jayden, who plays the guitar.