Space, Time, and Opportunity
A PS/MS 278 student in the Creative Art Works mixed media program acts as docent for CAW supporter Heather Kahn during a gallery walk
“You can really see how far they can go when there’s nothing but space, time, and opportunity…”
Some of the prodigious output of student work from the 12-week program
The sounds of hurried footsteps echoed down the halls of PS/MS 278 at the northern tip of Manhattan. Students pushed tables and chairs across the linoleum as they converted the school library into a pop-up art gallery. Over the past 12 weeks, these young artists created whimsical clay masks, evocative prints, colorful collages, and more in a Creative Art Works after-school Mixed Media program. On the last day of the program, they took full command of the space, even curating a playlist to enhance the enjoyment of their artwork.
As teachers, friends and family arrived, some students took it upon themselves to act as docents, not just of their own art, but works by other students as well. They were ecstatic to point out the techniques they had learned. It was inspiring to see the pride the students had in their work, and impressive to hear them talk so knowledgeably about each project.
School teachers admiring student work
Taking in the art all around her, PS/MS 278 Teacher Ajjaya Barksdale, who serves as co-teacher for this after-school program and has watched the students progress over the past semester, said, “You can really see how far they can go when there’s nothing but that space, time, and opportunity.”
Feedback from students about the program was overwhelmingly positive. In exit surveys, 100% of participants said they got to use their own ideas in class and were able to collaborate with other students at least some of the time. Seventy-eight per cent felt they learned how to be a better member of a group, while 89% felt comfortable taking risks and experimenting.
For each project, CAW Teaching Artist Farah Mohammad introduced students to works by notable modern and contemporary artists before encouraging students to respond to a specific artwork, such as such as the deep perspective of Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks, or the inventive mix of photos and cut paper in Romare Bearden’s collage The Evening Meal of Prophet Peterson. Other projects exposed students to artistic concepts such as color theory, composition, texture, and rhythm.
Riffing on a masterpiece: Reinterpreting Edward Hopper’s well-known Nighthawks teaches perspective and composition. It’s also wicked fun!
Collographs combine collage with printmaking to create layered and textured ink patterns.
This Creative Art Works program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) Initiative in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.