April 21, 2010

Our Lady of Fatima students inspired by art 

In February, students at Our Lady of Fatima School were inspired by the “Embrace!” exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. On a field trip to the museum, they took part in the experiential show where they not only viewed art, but learned about the techniques behind the work.

Moved by the exhibit, seventh- and eighth-graders created art using the school building as inspiration.

“To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students were asked to provide an adjective to express the civil rights movement and what it means to them,” said art teacher Janelle Sowers.

The adjectives were displayed in the school’s hallways to inspire dialogue and conversation. The works were also viewed by Embrace! artist Rupprecht Matthies, who referenced the students’ work in a piece he created for a Human Rights Watch fundraiser in Berlin.

“It is all about educating the whole child,” said Principal Lisa Taylor. “With schools being pressured with budget cuts, it is imperative to us that we keep our art program.”

As part of this year’s Catholic Schools Week, students participated in an art show. Winners were as follows:

Kindergarten - third grade: First place - Seth Jerow; second place - Maya Claveaux

Fourth - sixth grades: First place - Julianna Harding; second place - Sean Halliwell; third place -Samantha Briscoe, Janell Donegan, Jenna Stone