Montessori Art… Makes Us

Look around Evergreen. Art is everywhere.  In our classrooms. In our halls and stairwells, too.  And when you look around your life, you’ll see art all around, too.  From artwork in our homes to masterpieces in Washington Museums, we are immersed in art every day.

Evergreen School Penguins

When a child creates a work of art, he establishes a connection as old as civilization itself. She refines her skills and develops mastery over materials.  He develops control over clay, paint, scissors and glue.

Children are creators.  Producing something is an expression of one’s identity.  The act of creating makes our children who they are.  We make art and art makes us.

Art is also problem solving.  When making a work of art, the child is in dialog with the medium.  The child asks questions of the clay. The clay responds.  Throughout the conversation, new ideas and new solutions emerge.

Art at Evergreen is joyful and serious too.  It isn’t child’s play.  When you watch our young artists in the process of creating, their intensity and focus attest to the importance of their undertaking. Their art deserves to be looked at carefully. Look deeply!

The Puppet Giant

 

 

 

 

The Puppet Giant at Glen Echo Park’s Puppet Co.

 

Here is a wonderful picture taken by Ms. Tobin after her classes field trip to the Puppet Co.’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk at Glen Echo Park.  I love it!

A Creative, Talented Person

We have a new  program view book  to share with prospective Montessori families at our November 16 Open House.  I am so grateful for the work of Kelsey Stephens in Minnesota who designed it. She has done a remarkable job capturing the joyful energy of our school.  It is such a pleasure to work with creative, talented and enthusiastic people like her. Thank you, Kelsey!

Designed by Kelsey Stephens

 

The Evergreen School Fall Open House takes place on November 16 from 9 to 11 am.

Alexander Calder at Evergreen

Our Own Calderesque Landmark!

One of my favorite spots in Washington, DC is the Alexander Calder Room at the National Gallery of Art.  And to me,  his mobile in the East Wing Atrium is a DC landmark on par with any of the memorials on the Mall.   You can visit the room now using the NGA’s virtual interactive gallery here.

So I was thrilled when one of our teachers, Ms. Tobin, told me that her class was going to study Calder’s work and create their own kinetic sculptures.  With Ms. Michael’s help, the class created a collaborative mobile after seeing Calder’s wire circus sculptures.  Ms. Tobin even showed the video clip of Calder performing his own wire-sculpture circus.  How fun is it to see a grown artist making his own toys out of wire!

Now Evergreen School has our own artistic landmark, too!  Now if we could only create the virtual gallery…

Calderesque Mobile

Ms. Tobin also showed the video clip of Calder performing his own wire-sculpture circus at The Whitney.

Up Close with the Mural in Wheaton Triangle

I was eating a delicious pork banh mi sandwich at Saigonese Restaurant  with my son and daughter today when I noticed the Evergreen School mural across the parking lot.   The mural was created in 2009 by Evergreen students.  Here are a few of my photos; I was focussed on close ups, but felt obliged to include one picture that  reveals the mural’s massive size.  It must be at least 30 feet long and 20 feet tall.  Our school is so proud to be responsible for such an awesome Wheaton landmark!  I would love to hear stories about how it was painted.

A Learning Machine

Learning through the senses, a key part of Evergreen’s approach to learning.

Learning about Antarctica

Isn’t it great when parents share their passions and expertise with children?

Helen Frankenthaler Inspired (or is it Richard Diebenkorn?)

Inspiration

One of my favorite ways to experience children’s art is to find connections to works from art history. This piece by an Evergreen student made me first think of the abstractions of Morris Louis and then Helen Frankenthaler.  The longer I look, the more I think of a Richard Diebenkorn landscape.  What do you see?  The work of a sophisticated colorist or the exuberance and spontaneity of a 4-year old?

Amman Imman Hoop-a-thon to Reduce Water Scarcity

Our elementary and academic afternoon students participated in a hoop-a-thon, jump rope-a-thon and more today. The event was planned by elementary students who chose to support Amman Imman for their work in the Azawak region of Niger and Mali. Learn more at: http://www.ammanimman.org

Azaleas on Earth Day

Evergreen is blooming this month! I hope you enjoyed an Earth Day celebration today!