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URBAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FEATURED AT CARTER ART CENTER – Press Release

“Why am I adding dots? Because I want to. I wanted to add color. Yellow for the cloud, white goes in the sun and black goes in the sun, too,” said Antone, a fifth grader in Mrs. Moore’s class.

“Because I want to” is an important component to the students’ work that will be displayed in the Carter Art Center Gallery at Penn Valley MCC, opening October 2nd at 5 p.m. Reflections: Creating Meaning Through Art is a collection of self-portraits and other art from students attending the Academy for Integrated Arts (AFIA), a K – 5 public charter school in Kansas City. The self -portraits were inspired by the work of Chuck Close, Frida Khalo, and Pablo Picasso using collage, oil pastels, paint, and watercolor. AFIA’s students are proud to show the world who they are in their unique voices.

According to a survey conducted by the Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts, 64% of Kansas City residents want more arts education in school. AFIA’s unique approach to learning embeds the arts into all aspects of the curriculum through a project-based approach to learning. Students engage with the classroom materials in a hands-on way and learn important skills and strategies in an authentic context. Dr. Tricia DeGraff, AFIA Principal, believes that AFIA’s approach engages students in meaningful instruction that leads to deeper academic learning and creative thinking. AFIA students constantly impress Ms. Adrianne Edwards, Art Integration Specialist, “At AFIA, a constructivist school, students can create what they feel; it’s all about self-expression. It’s important they have a voice.” She is extremely grateful for this opportunity to showcase their creativity.

Reflections: Creating Meaning Through Art will be open October 2 through November 6, 2015. Students will be at the opening reception to speak about their art on Friday, October 2, at 5 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday from 1 – 5 p.m., Saturday from 12 – 3 p.m., and First Fridays from 1 – 9 p.m. For more information about the Carter Art Center Gallery, please contact Bernadette Torres at 816.604.1348. If you would like to know more about AFIA, please contact Dr. DeGraff at info@afiakc.org or visit www.afiakc.org.