Treasures From The PMA & Delphi, Part 3: The Product

by Elizabeth Van Allen  for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

My students loved drawing from 
and learning about works by Monet 
and other Impressionist masters!

All field trips are special, but visiting a world-famous art museum and seeing your own artwork on display really makes the experience one to remember. With the arrival of 2016 came our final field trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  This trip was the culmination of our 2015 8th grade experience with artist-in-residence Doris Nogueira-Rogers, made possible through the generosity of the Delphi Program Foundation.  When the big day arrived my students tried to play it cool, but they were just as bad at hiding their excitement as they are at trying to convince me that they can't draw.

Our CityYear corps member
'Mr. Marc' conversing with a few
of our budding young scholars

These young teens were treated to a wonderful "greatest hits"-style tour, viewing Impressionist landscapes, The Moorish Chief (my personal favorite painting), Medieval armor, and a real Japanese teahouse.  They impressed me with their drawings, intelligent questions, curiosity, and genuine interest in the exhibits we viewed.  I was one proud art teacher, and the best was yet to come. 

 

This young artist's use of shape,
texture and pattern really
brought their box to the next level!

When I first started teaching these students three years ago I never dreamed that they would come this far.  I knew that they were capable of greatness, but when it came to this long-term project these young artists far exceeded my (high) expectations.  When we came into view of our exhibit the students (and teachers) were so excited.  I loved hearing the exclamations of "that one's mine" and "look there's your box!"  Many a contraband cell phone appeared for pictures of friends at the exhibit and selfies with their projects.  I must admit that I was no different.  Instead of a vigilant teacher and chaperone I transformed into the proud mama of 20 young artists, snapping pictures like it was my mission in life. 

A happy & excited
student poses for
yet another picture

To all of those out there who work with children: if you keep your standards high and your outlook positive, most kids will exceed your expectations most of the time.  These students succeeded because we believed they could.  Sometimes it just takes one person to convince us that success is possible.  If you tell someone enough times that they can achieve, they will start to believe it.  I put myself out there for my students with this opportunity because I believed that they were up to this challenge, and I told them that from day one.  They succeeded because we as adults made our actions match our words.

Top: The outside and inside of a well planned and constructed, six-sided box

Bottom: I love how these two students interpreted the 
same set of directions in such different ways!

I would like to thank several of the other adults who also made their actions match their words. A big thank you goes out to Doris Nogueira-Rogers and Lisa Bowe.  Without their hard work, unwavering dedication and support, this experience would not have been possible.  A big shout out to Teyona Jackson and Tammy Salvadore for their flexibility and positive outlook when our road got a little bumpy.  Thanks to Rasheed Clark for his encouragement and for always having my back.  Thank you to Dr. Andrea Coleman-Hill for giving me the support and space needed to provide an environment that is truly conducive to teaching and learning art.  Lastly, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the students of Ms. Bowe's homeroom, A1.  Without your willingness to work with us crazy adults towards trying something new, none of this would have been possible.  

My students' work on view
in the Education Gallery at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

To access the first two installments in the series

 Treasures From The PMA & Delphi:

Click here for Part 1: The Program

Click here for Part 2: The Project

Disclaimer: Normally I don't show any students in my articles due to privacy & legal considerations. 

These students and their guardians all signed waivers allowing for their images to be used.