The third installment of the Children’s Art Exhibit, presented by Colleen Montgomery and Maddie Hall has arrived at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum. The intended mission of the Museum is to provide children of all ages the chance to explore and learn science at their own pace in an informal setting. However, with the Children’s Art Exhibit in gear, the Museum has taken on an additional learning component, viewing works of art from other students and schools in our community.
This month, Amy Lozar, art educator at South Side Elementary, and a selection of her K-5 students’ artwork collectively titled “Echoes of Africa” in celebration of Black History Month, is now on display at the Museum.
Lozar’s art lesson was already in progress when the Orpheum approached her about exhibiting the artwork at the Museum. According to Lozar, students were really excited to find out last Monday that some of their work was included in the show. Last Saturday was the official art opening, and in addition to family and friends attending, South Side’s world music ensemble performed, under the direction of Karinsa Moline. Out of the 280 students who attend South Side, over 100 pieces of art are currently on display at the Museum. Of course, not every student was able to participate, but fellow students were in attendance at the opening to support their classmates.
Each grade level explored various aspects of African and African-American art. Students worked on different art projects, according to their grade level, using a wide variety of materials: construction paper, watercolors, and even found objects. For example, students in third grade worked on masks where as the fourth graders learned about artist and writer, Faith Ringgold and read her novel, Tar Beach, followed by the creation of their very own story quilts.
“Echoes of Africa” will be on display for the entire month of April, in conjuction with the Artists Against AIDS show. Don’t miss out on another event: Saturday April 11, from 1-3 p.m, there will be an art workshop hosted by the students and teachers from South Side Elementary School. Attendees will have the opportunity to create works of art that coincide with the theme of the art show. This event is free with admission to the museum, which is $2 per child ages 2-18, $3 per adult over the age of 18, and free for children under the age of 2. No pre-registration is required.
If you are not able to make it out to the Orpheum by the end of April, please check out our video including a small collection of artwork: