The news that is “hot off the presses” is that the Franklin School will not be holding an art exhibit this year, but will now be on an alternating schedule with the Atkinson School. 2006 will be an Atkinson year, 2007 Franklin, 2008 Atkinson, and so on. Our intention is to focus on quality vs. quantity, (not to mention sanity vs. frenzy.)

Kindergarten and first grade have practiced a lot of different skills based in drawing and collage, weaving, and origami. We are currently at work creating paper quilts to hang in the library - we should be ready to unveil them by the end of January! One sculpture project that we have in the works requires styrofoam trays - so send ‘em if ya got ‘em!

In the upper grades we opened the year by discussing the journal work of  Leonardo da Vinci. We’ve practiced portraiture, made landscape collages, tried our hand at watercoloring and origami. Now we’ll spend a few weeks weaving and then the Model Magic  comes out!  5th grade is working on a mural project for the library. It involves teamwork, graphic design skills, drawing with oil pastels and will result in a bold new exhibit piece that will hang in our library for years to come.

When the weather finally turns nice we’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors with our “PRIVATE EYEs!” The PTO purchased a program for us that focuses on “looking and thinking by analogy.” We’ll be using jewelers loupes to magnify many of the fascinating things in our world and doing drawings and paintings based on those observations.

We can boast our bulkiest volunteer roster in years! It’s been absolutely amazing to have so much support in the classrooms - if you are interested in spending some time with us, just email me.

Advocacy for the Arts and Art Awarenes

S.T.A.M.P.

Arts Action Fund

Cynthia Cronan