“Aaaarrrttt! Art is obviously one of the Three R’s”
–artist Peter William Brown
Stebbins School was host to many visitors this year, the most welcome of which were the visiting artists Barb Short and Deland Anderson. Both artists were part of the New Visions grant, from the Alaska State Council on the Arts, which is designed to increase arts education across the district. The three year project will focus on professional development for staff, curriculum writing, leadership training and bringing Alaskan Teaching Artists to work with students.
Barb Short instructed the Stebbins young artists on elements of the color wheel and media through lessons designed by Project ARTiculate. Students revealed their artistic prowess through zen doodling, water color resist projects, and color wheel stories. Deland Anderson explained elements of aboriginal art from New Zealand, and showed students how to work with an adaptation of this dot art. Art projects revealed the students’ interpretation of their own landscapes of Steven’s Hill and the tundra alive with berries. Mr. Anderson even entertained the classes with performances on a digeridoo.
Greg Johnson, District Director of Curriculum and Instruction, states that,
“ Research and common sense have shown that the arts can inspire and motivate students like no other subject, and teach them critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and expressive communication skills.”
Reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic—and now ARRRRRT!. Thank you, Bering Strait School District, for giving us that all important fourth “r”!