Brooklyn Museum’s School Partnership Program customizes art-centered experiences for schools b

Brooklyn Museum’s School Partnership Program customizes art-centered experiences for schools based on their unique curricula. P373K, one of our long-time partnerships in District 75, brought their art class to work with us once a month during the school year to get inspired by work in the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions. Along with their studies in and out of the classroom (which also included equine therapy), students brought all of these elements to their own artwork. When schools closed due to COVID-19, we worked with students virtually to consider how we can stay in community and continue an artistic practice.Art teacher Mandy Larson had this to say: “With the events of this year, it is more important than ever that we seek our creative voices and expand the boundaries of our self-expression to connect with one another and nurture even stronger communities. Our high school vocational students are witnessing their horizons quickly expanding as they learn to express themselves through new creative mediums while maintaining meaningful connections to the socio-cultural communities in which they now find themselves—virtually, as well.  Following are a few examples of our self-portrait project, during which students discussed the French artist JR and the importance of art in expressing themselves as individuals while also having a positive role in a larger world community. With one another, greater creative potentials of our students continue to become realized. When these potentials come to fruition, our communities thrive and are revitalized.”A Good Friend by Nino ChitiashviliDigital Photograph“My self-portrait is me, I am always smiling. I wear my favorite blue hoodie. I like to wear my headphones and also be out at the stables because the horses make me happy. I love it when people love one another and respect one another so I give the peace sign. It is so cool when we listen to each other and respect one another. I love that. I am a good friend. I am the best friend.”Strong by Melanie RiveraDigital Photograph“My self-portrait shows me strong and brave. I am wearing my favorite “free spirit” shirt. My stuffed animals take up so much room on my bed. Behind me are the notebooks full of my artwork that I create every day. I am holding some of my favorite artwork of a friend I love—she is Menina. My imagination makes me strong.”A Funny Guy by Bryan Rojas MelchiorDigital Photograph“My self-portrait is a picture from when I went to my cousins and wore my uncle’s Star Wars stormtroopers helmet. Stormtroopers protect the emperor.  The Star Wars movies are classics and I just love classics, some of the best films of the decades. From the series by George Lucas. I’m a funny guy who likes to joke and loves movies of all decades and years. This picture represents me because it is funny.  It reminds me of my sense of humor. Also I am wearing my p373k shirt so that looks nice.”Demons Into Art by Khalid KelleyPencil on Paper“My drawing of myself shows what is going on in my mind. The good and bad circle like yin and yang. The good shows my art career and the bad shows everything fading away, I may go blind with rage as my heart starts ringing it out. But I still stay strong. I can fight my demons if I believe in myself. Art can help me fight my demons and express myself. It stops it from growing stronger and I am making myself feel better by drawing the feelings out. By drawing characters and my feelings on paper I turn my demons into art.”Untitled by Daivon LegionsDigital Photograph/Oil pastel on paper“In my self-portrait, I am doing painting of brownstone houses in Brooklyn. When I am painting and drawing I can express myself as an artist. Art is important to me because it is fun to imagine things. I create characters that represent me like the members of the Lexon family: Jarion, Jayden, Jordon, Cairon, Rico Carmos, Paulo Paul Pomes, Paul Porco Rocos, & Juan Cruz Comos. They are kind, nice, funny, and always going places. Every Thursday the Lexon family goes to the park and has a picnic. Every summer they take a family vacation to Florida, New Orleans, St. Thomas, or Puerto Rico. The Lexon family likes to go fishing and planting. Every Lexon family member is unique, smart, helpful, and family-oriented. They each represent a piece of me.”Posted by Stacey Kahn, with statements provided by art teacher Mandy Larson and the talented students of P373K. School partnerships like these are made possible by the generous funding of foundations like the Kenan Foundation and the Kornfeld Foundation. -- source link

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