Through the eyes of a child

What are meaningful images and how do they come about? What are they for and what do they do? These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves before we enter an exhibit or a museum to check out the ART!!! Our kids know what ART!! is. It's a communiqué, and the evidence of that understanding is this particular communiqué on the theme presented to them: Preserving a Sense of Place.

To arrive at the work on these walls our children absorbed themselves in the actions of exploration, selection, grasping of essentials, simplifications, abstraction, analysis, synthesis, completion, correction, comparison, problem solving, as well as combining, separating, and putting into a context.

That's a lot of work!

So how can we celebrate and appreciate what they have brought about? Kirk Varnedoe, art historian, professor, lecturer and curator for Museum of Modern Art (NY) suggests we look carefully to see:

1 What truth does the piece present about the world?

2 How does the piece investigate its self consciousness, about its structure and language i.e. design, tools and technique?

3 What are its connections in the social context?

Take a look at any painting which doesn’t seem to fit the mold, initially, and you will discover, using the suggestions above that there is an equal richness also portrayed in categories of: Imaginary places...Whimsical places...Places for people...and Places of concern.

These images, intended for our enjoyment and thoughtful analysis, are skillfully articulated reflections of our children’s ideas about “their places”. They can teach us about the experience of seeing and the power of authenticity. They can give us a perspective which opens us up to our own imaginations.

As with any artistic endeavor the ART!!! is successful only because it is acknowledged, leaves an impression upon its audience and stimulates interest in its context. We are hoping you will henceforth view your children, your fellow citizens and your city with renewed interest and vigor, especially on this First Thursday celebration of Earth, Our Place.

We extend thanks to our children, teachers, parents and visitors for making the time to view the reflections of these young artists. We are especially grateful to Clark Straight, owner of the Johnsonia Gallery, for his constant support.

As with any artistic endeavor, "Preserving a Sense of Place" is successful only because of the exchange of ideas and appreciation and the encouragement of the work.

We hope you have been touched by the vision, energy and creativity of our students and the equally energetic supportive of the teachers entrusted with their care and stimulation.

We hope you will support this effort with the purchase of Note Cards available during this event and on special order.

Thank you

Jennifer Jones—Director of Arts and After School Programming

What are meaningful images and how do they come about? What are they for and what do they do? These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves before we enter an exhibit or a museum to check out the ART!!! Our kids know what ART!! is. It's a communiqué, and the evidence of that understanding is this particular communiqué on the theme presented to them: Preserving a Sense of Place.

To arrive at the work on these walls our children absorbed themselves in the actions of exploration, selection, grasping of essentials, simplifications, abstraction, analysis, synthesis, completion, correction, comparison, problem solving, as well as combining, separating, and putting into a context.

That's a lot of work!

So how can we celebrate and appreciate what they have brought about? Kirk Varnedoe, art historian, professor, lecturer and curator for Museum of Modern Art (NY) suggests we look carefully to see:

1 What truth does the piece present about the world?

2 How does the piece investigate its self consciousness, about its structure and language i.e. design, tools and technique?

3 What are its connections in the social context?

Take a look at any painting which doesn’t seem to fit the mold, initially, and you will discover, using the suggestions above that there is an equal richness also portrayed in categories of: Imaginary places...Whimsical places...Places for people...and Places of concern.

These images, intended for our enjoyment and thoughtful analysis, are skillfully articulated reflections of our children’s ideas about “their places”. They can teach us about the experience of seeing and the power of authenticity. They can give us a perspective which opens us up to our own imaginations.

As with any artistic endeavor the ART!!! is successful only because it is acknowledged, leaves an impression upon its audience and stimulates interest in its context. We are hoping you will henceforth view your children, your fellow citizens and your city with renewed interest and vigor, especially on this First Thursday celebration of Earth, Our Place.

We extend thanks to our children, teachers, parents and visitors for making the time to view the reflections of these young artists. We are especially grateful to Clark Straight, owner of the Johnsonia Gallery, for his constant support.

As with any artistic endeavor, "Preserving a Sense of Place" is successful only because of the exchange of ideas and appreciation and the encouragement of the work.

We hope you have been touched by the vision, energy and creativity of our students and the equally energetic supportive of the teachers entrusted with their care and stimulation.

We hope you will support this effort with the purchase of Note Cards available during this event and on special order.

Thank you

Jennifer Jones—Director of Arts and After School Programming