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our visit to the Gallery, October 2003
Dear Families,
Last Wednesday we boarded the metro bus to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery for our final trip to the museum. The students were energized by the crisp autumn air and the flurry of leaves blowing in the wind. The excitement of having one more visit, and the anticipation of gathering together to share ideas, built to a crescendo as we approached our destination.
When we arrived at the Albright-Knox, we stopped to take a group portrait of the School In A Museum participants. The children had fun posing for the picture before entering the Gallery. Once inside the museum, the students set upon the task of sharing the words, images, and movements they had created over the past four weeks.
Each student presented his/her variation on the theme of "conversation" for the whole group. With a particular work of art as their backdrop, the students engaged each other in taking yet one more look at the works they had learned about. They were attentive and involved while listening to each other. It was clear they had developed a fondness for the colors, shapes, textures, and light they had encountered each Wednesday morning.
At the end of our visit, Tapestry teachers, Gallery staff, docents, and students formed a circle. Surrounded by paintings of abstract expressionists, this large group of adults and children took the time to share what they felt was unique about School In A Museum. Once again our students were eager to express their thoughts and did so with clarity and genuine enthusiasm.
It takes the work and energy of many people to make School In A Museum a success. Many thanks to Kathy Shiroki, Assistant Curator of Education at the Albright Knox Gallery. Kathy invited Tapestry to join the School In A Museum program last year and we were thrilled to return this year. She worked with Tapestry teachers and staff at the gallery to design and implement this year’s theme of "Conversations".
We extend our thanks to Jan O’Connell, Director of Docents, for her expertise and energy in providing docents and coordinating Tapestry’s visits. Our sincere thanks to docents Lisa and Pragna for introducing the children to the works of art chosen to support the theme of conversations. Through mini lectures and guided discussions, the docents shared insights and knowledge about these varied works. Our students learned about artists, history, society, culture, and themselves in their interactions with the docents.
Caitlin, Cindy, and Nikki did a terrific job challenging the students to reach beyond the surface and discover ways of interpreting and responding to art. The students participated in activities designed by Tapestry teachers to create responses using multiple intelligences. The children had opportunities to further develop skills in language arts, movement, and visual art and their teachers extended the experience beyond time spent in the museum. Students worked on plays, dialogs, sketches, poems, and choreography at school during the intervening days.
We extend our thanks to the guards at the Gallery for helping us divide into smaller groups to spend "quality time" with the final four works of art! We thank Nancy and Alyssa for teaching the second graders while we were at School In A Museum. Thank you to Kim for arranging the Metro Bus transportation. And last, but never least, thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in the Tapestry Charter School Community Association. Through your fund raising efforts, TCSCA was able to cover the transportation costs for the four trips to the gallery.
At Tapestry we are committed to providing arts experiences that foster independent thinking and create dynamic connections between the classroom and the rich cultural life of our city. Your children are a vital part of the arts community and did an utterly amazing job learning and creating!
Please take the time to talk to your child about this program. We are compiling a book of photographs and samples of student work to share with classmates and families. In the meantime, consider taking your family to the Gallery; admission to the Albright Knox Art Gallery is free on Saturdays from 11:00 to 1:00. Give your child the opportunity to introduce you to...
The Hotel Lobby - Max Beckmann
Feeling His Oats - Robert Colescott
Couple at Intersection - Shirin Neshat
Return of the Prodigal Son - Romare Bearden
Push, Pulled, Depleted & Duplicated #7 - Karin Davie
Sincerely,
Hannah, Arts Coordinator, Tapestry
Tapestry Charter School students visit
the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
