Live Painting: Student Performance

In a school district where art programs have been cut several years in a row, students choose self-advocacy through performative aciton. At the  annual District Art Show (kindergarten - grade 12), which is largely a concession and entirely predictable, a group of students is organized to paint on site in the venue while community  members are visiting the show. These eight high school students share space and resources to paint along with a Bob Ross video, pausing intermittently to mix paint or work a bit, while they are watched by families. The work is done “alla prima,” in (water-soluble) oil paint, in a one hour session. They are brave and strong, emboldened by a  teacher who believes in them and confident that the work they are doing is worth the time and effort. Students display, through direct action, the value and accessibility of artmaking to their entire community. 

Community response is overwhelmingly positive. Many students in elementary school witness this work and are encouraged to seek out opportunities for artmaking in the coming years. This is a thoughtful, intentional action that will result in slow, but sustainable growth for studio art programs.