School Programs: Fall 2015

Welcome back to the K.I.D.S. Art Education blog! We are in week 2 of our fall school programs, serving K-5 students from P.S. 15, Brooklyn New School, and new partner PAVE Academy Charter School.

This fall we are working from "Soundings," a collaborative installation by artists Margaret Cogswell and Ellen Driscoll. These artists used Red Hook - its waterfront, landscape and architecture - as visual inspiration for their drawings. We are so excited to share this exhibition with our local students who also enjoy Red Hook's richness and vibrancy.

In the front room, students practice observational drawing with Teaching Artist Victoria Calabro. Unlike previous shows, Cogswell and Drsicoll decided not to divide their artwork into separate rooms. Their work intermingles, allowing students to experience both artists together. Victoria asks the students to notice the natural elements in the work - foliage, birds, water, weather - and to observe actual plants collected from the area. They combined detailed study of the plants with the compositions of Driscoll's large scale scenes and Cogswell's circular drawings and videos.

In the back space, Teaching Artist Ruth Wetzel leads an interpretive workshop based on sound. Using a number of objects (sticks, bells, buckets, etc.) Ruth moves about the room creating loud, soft, fast, and slow sounds that the students transcribe into line and color. The lesson includes a discussion of science topics like sound waves, and is inspired by the title of the show as well as Cogswell's maritime videos.

This morning, Helen's 1st grade class from the Brooklyn New School enjoyed a SPECIAL visitor - artist Margaret Cogswell! Margaret shared her process with the students, talking about how she spent time observing, recording and drawing the Red Hook waterfront. What a treat for the students to meet and hear from the artist, and for the artist to see the kids at work!

Stay tuned for updates on more School Programs, Special Needs Residency, and Drawing Together family workshops coming up this fall! Thanks to all of our dedicated friends and fellow educators for making these programs possible.