A collaboration between art teachers and students across six different schools has culminated in an amazing collection of artwork centered around themes related to belonging, diversity, and humanity. “You Belong Here” is a collaborative student art exhibition which was unveiled during a reception Monday at the Family Support Center.
It was made possible by a grant through the Ken-Ton School District Office of Curriculum, Leadership & Instruction. A total of eight art teachers led this work which involved students at six different schools: Franklin Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Franklin Middle, Kenmore Junior/Senior High, Kenmore East, and Kenmore West.
Much of the inspiration came from Angélica Dass, a Brazilian photographer who created the groundbreaking photographic project Humanæ. Humanæ is a photographic work which includes photographic portraits to document humanity’s true colors rather than false labels such as “white,” “red,” “black,” and “yellow” that are usually associated with race.
The exhibit included the following projects:
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Creative portraits by third-grade students at Hoover Elementary School led by art teacher Jennifer Lynch
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A collaborative installation consisting of a table top mosaic of painted papers reflecting skin tones represented in the class by eighth-graders in the Big Picture Program at Kenmore Junior/Senior High
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Portraits of students in a Franklin Elementary class by Drawing & Painting students at Kenmore East led by art teacher Matthew Sagurney
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An artistic representation of Kenmore West assembled from individual tiles by Photo 2 and Painting students at Kenmore West led by art teachers Anna Rubino and Matha Sikorski
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Portraits of students/staff at Kenmore East which corresponded with specific quotes from their subjects by Photo 2 students at Kenmore East led by art teacher and district art coordinator Denise Carr, similar to the work of photographer Brandon Stanton
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Self portraits incorporating shading techniques painted using only red, yellow, blue, black, and white tempera paint by fifth-grade students at Franklin Middle School led by art teacher Lisa Mihelbergel
