The Sculpture Exhibition

The Sculpture Exhibition had a special separate opening which transformed the cafeteria into a gallery space before and after the Family Engagement workshop. The exhibition featured over 50 painted wooden sculpture constructions with artist titles and descriptive text. Earlier in the day I conducted a series of tours with classes that had been involved in the residency. Students were supplied with small sketch books and pencils to use during their tour. One of their field tasks was to sketch their favorite collage or 3D construction "Dream House" and write a couple of sentences describing what they saw. I asked my Kindergarteners to do the same except they were to write one or two words beneath their drawing after they had finished sketching. Many of them filled their entire sketchbook up with drawings.

Here is a list of some of the titles students gave their works:

"The Water Palace"

"The TV Watching House"

"Batman's Fort"

" The Colorful Park"

" The Secret Spy House"

"The Dark Place"

" Inside the Airport"

"Cool House"

" The Street of Shapes"

" Pattern Playground"

"The Pizza Black Olive Store"

"Blue City of Life"

Here are a few sentences that they wrote in their sketchbooks.

"The house is red and pink. I see three hearts. One is big and in the middle of the house."

"There are balls on the roof. It is light blue, pink, purple, red and white."

"I see a door and a window. I see colorful patterns. The blocks are tall and green."

Seeing, drawing and writing about an art work that is not your own but connected by virtue of proximity, similar materials and learning outcomes is an important shared experience that speaks to community and lends itself to a democratic education.