Portraits and an Art Contest

An update from the Art Studio

The weather has certainly tried to put some hiccups in our flow, but that has not stopped AFIA scholars from creating some amazing art! This semester, the upper elementary grades have taken a deep dive into portraits. Students have worked with faces, full body, bodies in motion, and sculpture. During our work we have discussed the importance of technical skills like proportion and craftsmanship. Because our students our creative thinkers we also discuss conceptual processes including intent and purpose.

Students learn to consider what they want to convey to the audience through their artwork and why art is important. This helps them consider other artists’ intent and purposed when they see art. To help answer these questions, we have been looking at and responding to inspiring contemporary art. We focused on artwork by women and black artists, including Jen Stark, Kehinde Wiley, and Faith Ringold. While viewing these works I am always impressed by the students’ thoughtful and engaging discussions. I’ve included some artwork from AFIA scholars below so you can have your own art discussion!

Outside the classroom

In addition to the work we have been doing in the art studio, AFIA artists have also engaged with the community through field experiences at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and an art contest held at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center located at 4750 Troost Ave. The theme of the art contest was “Nature in your Neighborhood”. Students created paintings and drawings that feature native plants and animals they might see in their daily lives. You can view a few of their submissions below or the full collection at the Discovery Center from March 1st-April 26th.

Congratulations to our artists: Dominick Scott Jr. (Kindergarten), Violet Fritz (1st), Charlie Miller (1st), Camila Buenano (2nd), Mia Lambson (2nd), Mackenzie Antwine (2nd), Saihttam Simpson (5th), Laryah Dorch (5th), Nico Defrance (5th), Gabrielle Pritchett (5th), and Mykila Sims (6th). An awards ceremony will be held April 2nd from 5:30-8:00.

Learn more about Arts Integration or Field Experiences.