Each month, the art teachers from Altamont Elementary, Guilderland Elementary, Lynnwood Elementary and Westmere Elementary highlight students who have demonstrated they are practicing Studio Habits of Mind. These eight habits – develop craft, engage and persist, envision, express, observe, reflect, stretch and explore, and understand art worlds – encourage and enable students to be more mindful during the creative process. This is not a contest; the Young Artist of the Month accomplishment acknowledges specific learning and critical thinking that happens in the art room, in relation to Studio Habits of Mind. The students’ pictures and statements are framed and hung in the schools’ entryways.
Altamont Elementary: Cameryn Conese
The young artist of the month is Cameryn Conese in Mrs. Mayos’ second grade class! Cameryn has done a wonderful job expressing herself in her artwork. To express yourself means to use colors, shapes, and creativity to show what you’re thinking or how you’re feeling inside. When you express yourself in art, it’s like telling a story without words. It’s a way to let your imagination shine and share a piece of yourself with others. Way to go Cameryn!
Guilderland Elementary: Maria Moncada Barrios
The January featured artist is Maria Moncada Barrios. Maria is in Mrs. Comerford’s third grade class this year. Maria has demonstrated the Artist Habit of Mind – Observe in art. That means that she is able to look closely at the world around her and apply observations to her work. Maria is patient with her work and always tries her best. She is focused and attentive during instruction and seems to have a clear idea of what she wants to create. She is willing to make changes when she needs to and is a close observer of the details in whatever she is creating. Her patience and attention to detail helps to make her drawings more realistic. Her ability to Observe and then draw is an essential skill in drawing realistically.
Lynnwood Elementary: Violet Clikeman.
The Lynnwood Young Artist for the month of January is Violet Clikeman. Violet is in fifth grade in Ms. Lewis’ class. Violet embodies the Studio Habit of Mind; Envision and Develop Craft. To envision means to picture your idea and make a plan to create your vision. To develop craft means to practice your skills as an artist. Violet always brainstorms, sketches and plans her ideas to help her envision her final artwork. She thinks her idea through and then she develops the artwork by using the techniques and skills we are practicing in class. She reflects on her process while she is working to make her best choices. She works with great self control and patience to make sure she is creating her very best. Keep up the amazing work Violet!
Westmere Elementary: Cecilia Southard
This month’s featured young artist is Cecilia Southard. Cece is in Mrs. Stiller’s fourth grade class. She has demonstrated the Studio Habit of Mind: Stretch & Explore. For this project, fourth graders learned about weaving. Weaving is a part of many different cultures! Have you ever seen a woven basket or scarf? It takes practice and patience to make a woven item. Cece was very innovative while making this art piece! She discovered a way to make her weaving look similar to a spider web. She stretched and explored by trying something new and putting her own spin on it. Wonderful weaving, Cecelia!