The past couple of months has been a whirlwind of activity and creativity. Spring has actually flown by, as it does in the desert, and summer is on the doorstep. A few more days of school, and we break for our summer program. In the middle of it all I was wondering what was actually being accomplished. Now, looking back, I am amazed at all that was created. The artspace is overflowing with works.
I decided to participate in the Global Art Project for Peace this year. I let the students take the lead, and just observed the discussions as they developed the theme for their collaborative work.
After brainstorming and deciding on the main theme, they began realizing their ideas.
Hands on fire!
and the final piece…….
This program matches schools, individuals, and organizations around the world to participate in the art exchange. We will be mailing our piece to a school in Pennsylvania, and are looking forward to receiving one from them as well.
My fifth-grade students were the artists behind this effort, and have since worked collaboratively to write some lyrics that will be set to music by a friend of mine (Thanks Michael!) who is a brilliant visual artist and musician in his own right. Here are their words:
A Place to Shine
Our strength is in our friendship
Our power is in our love
Doing the right thing
brings happiness to our world.
We build a place to shine,
Our hands, our hearts, our minds,
strengthen humankind
and our creativity
will protect our Earth,
the blue-green jewel that is our home
and a gift.
So all the birds and fish and animals that run
will sing together with grace
for our success.
Sing with them! Our voices calling out
all the names of beauty!
Trees flowers seeds animals people water air sky moon fruits minerals breezes stars oceans planets rain
rainbows rivers lightening shining sun waterfalls thunder skies night rivers fish butterflies the sun the moon tears of joy cries of sadness
clapping hands building houses planting giving singing laughing
put it all together and we
have a place to shine.
