This exhibition features the work of 5 and 6 year old Kindergarten students from the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. After a visit to the State of the Art Gallery, the students asked, “Who gets to show their art?” and “Can we show our art in a gallery?” 

Many thanks to CSMA, who graciously opened their doors to us and sent us along a month-long journey to discover what it means to be an artist, to explore the concept of art as a universal language, and to experience the work and discipline it takes to put on a show.  As the children created their art, they became investigators of beauty, turning to deep observation, contemplation, and an attention to process.  This type of learning, that the Reggio Emilia educators call “the aesthetic dimension,” is in contrast to the indifference, carelessness, conformity, and absence of participation and feeling (Vecchi, 2010, p.5).  Through L’Atelier, the child became the artist, and art became a way to engage with the world. 

 

                        Jessica Custer-Bindel

 

(Vecchi, V. (2010). Art and Creativity in Reggio Emilia: Exploring the Role and Potential of Ateliers in Early Childhood Education. New York, NY: Routledge.)

Works include pottery, sculpture, photography/scenes from a playground, collage, and nature paintings.

 

Featured Artists: Ashley, Benny, Diana, Fatell, Gabriel, Jacob, Khadija, Nicolas, Niya, Roselyn, Simon, Waleed, and Zai’vyon.