The show currently on display in Hill Center’s Young Artists Gallery is the work of students in Early Childhood, Fourth, and Fifth grade classes at Brent ES (301 North Carolina Ave. SE). Under the guidance of Elizabeth Dittamo and Julia Sadowsky they began the new school year by “exploring, sharing, and celebrating their identities.” Ms. Dittamo and Ms. Sadowsky believe that “children communicate and represent their ideas and intelligence in a myriad of ways that are all valuable forms of expression,” an idea referred to as” the hundred languages of children.”
The youngest children were introduced to Damien Hirst, a contemporary British artist, exploring the relationship between color and emotions in his work. They considered how they associate different colors with their own emotions and memories.
“I am a lot of feelings and a lot of colors all the time. It’s like a rainbow sunset.” -Luke
“I’m all green because I’m brave and magical and shiny like Tinkerbell” -Linnea.
Students then created collages using a variety of materials in a rainbow of colors, but no tools – just their own hands.
The Fourth and fifth graders undertook two, very different, projects. Some used a variety of textiles to create a quilt panel, embellished with sewing and simple embroidery, presenting an experience they found personally meaningful. Others made wire self-portraits, somewhat reminiscent of work by Alexander Calder. The portraits, in particular, required considerable patience and skill in manipulating the wire cutters and pliers. Artists developed not only their attaching techniques, but also their understanding of how lines and shapes create a whole image.
“It was confusing to work with the wire. Sometimes it hurt my fingers. But if you try your best, you will finish it and have a great project.”-Jocelynn
“The wire was pretty difficult especially because I had to make my teeth. I was proud of my work when I was done because it looked kind of like me.” – Chrisantos
The oldest and youngest artists featured in this exhibit are paired as “buddy classes”. Ms. Dittamo and Ms. Sadowsky note that they “will spend the year building relationships, sharing their learning, and celebrating one another.” Their teachers are proud of their creativity and effort on this identity project and hope you will visit to see their work. The show is on view in the ground floor gallery at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE through the middle of December.
