Brianne Gorman / Hasson Heights

Pam Marterella / Seventh & Smedley & Hasson Heights

The Elementary Art Program presents Kindergarten through 5^th graders with the opportunity to produce, appreciate, and respond to the Visual Arts.

Produce through the exploration and experimentation of materials

Appreciate through the discovery of meaning and the study of art history

Respond through thoughtful verbal conversation and dialogue – or – written responses

Most of our time in the classroom is devoted to the production of artwork intermingled with the appreciation, analysis, and interpretations of current and historical artworks. Producing involves the manipulation of 2D and 3D materials in a variety of basic art forms. The basic art forms are: design, printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, weaving, and ceramics. Media may be liquid, rigid and/or pliable. Making art forms develops basic coordination skills and allows for self-expression. Creating visual art uniquely equips students to communicate ideas, thoughts and feelings through a variety of physical materials.

With art making comes the appreciation of Art, as a meaningful process of inquiry and expression. We begin by learning the origins of artistic behavior and examine the history of art from B.C. to A.D.; from Egyptian to Roman to American… even to Pennsylvania! Over the course of our program, students begin to link the importance of historical masterpieces within the context of contemporary and current day art.

Responding to Art is a verbal (or written) process of analysis and interpretation. While viewing student and master artworks, the students are asked to describe, analyze, and interpret based on subject matter, objects, and meanings. Through this process students are equipped with the essential artistic vocabulary that is needed for conversations and dialogues related to the visual arts.