The Art Show - A Tradition!

Early learning teacher, Mrs. Angie Parker, has been doing the Spring Art Show at Seton Catholic School for 22 years. When she first started these art lessons Mrs. Parker did a lot of research to teach herself about the various artists. She started with just teaching a few of the well-known artists, but over the years it has grown to 14 artists in all. Her students learn about Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Dale Chihuly.

This year Mrs. Parker added our very own Father Sengole Gnanaraj! He came to visit the class one day and brought his sketch book. Everyone was amazed at his talent so they decided to add him to their list of artists. He might not be a famous artist to the world, but he is quite talented to his school and church community.

Starting in January, the children begin to learn a variety of facts about where the various artists lived, what type of art they are famous for, and interesting facts about their lives and works. Next, they become that artist and recreate their own version of one of the artist’s works. This continues on through March until the classroom has been transformed into a real art gallery, full of creative art pieces made by each student. The classroom is opened to parents, grandparents, friends, and family for their art show. During their presentation they showcase their art and share all of the knowledge they have gained about each artist.

Thanks to modern technology, our videographer Mr. David Marsee, and some quick thinking on Mrs. Parker’s part, the art show went on this year despite the onset of the current pandemic and news that that school buildings would be closing. Mr. Marsee video recorded the students presenting their art and all that they learned about the artists to the kindergarten class.

Watching the children discover new things about each artist is one of my Mrs. Parker's favorite things about this unit. “I am always amazed at how they soak in the information like little sponges and remember it all at the art show three months after they started learning!, said Mrs. Parker. Also she loves seeing their art come to life! Every student uniquely creates their own masterpieces and they are wonderful to see. This has become a favorite time of year for her students and the staff of Seton Catholic.

Taytem Rivera, a current Seton Catholic 3^rd grade says, “I loved re-creating the paintings and learning about the artists and their styles. Abstract art is my favorite!” Her parents, Ali and Rafael Rivera, share, “Mrs. Parker’s art show was a highlight for entire family. Not only does she have a love for art history, she has a gift to teach the kids how to appreciate the artists. It’s truly a blessing for our Primary students. It’s amazing when my daughter is able to pick out a picture by Pollock or Klee.”

To view this year's Art Show presentation video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrRe1Sm8U48 .