BPS ART WRAP-UP

**images of artwork used with release from students & families

Welcome to our Art, Poetry, & Mindfulness Showcase! 

This year I've been working with a 5th grade class in the Boston Public Schools, teaching an art class once a week. We’ve been focussing on art as a tool for mindfulness and expressive, and the kids gain a space to exercise their creativity. The class has focussed on exposing the students to new art mediums, gaining a knowledge of art history and famous artists, and growing the ability to use non-verbal communication for emotional expression and in collaborative art experiences. Some of our projects included making mandalas, collaborative zentangles, making inside-outside self-portraits, painting imaginative landscapes, drawing monsters based off of our least favorite foods, movement-based ink images, wax resist winter scenes, and keeping an art journal throughout the year. 

Since we’re ending out year together, we had a year end wrap-up in the form of their art gallery celebration. We were surrounded by family and friends, and I was so proud of the way that these kids learned to talk about their artwork. The could hold themselves with confidence as they talked about the pieces they had on display, all of which they had curated themselves when they made a final portfolio. I’m so excited for them to all move forward to their 6th grade classes, and to bring a little bit of their creativity along with them.