Holman pupils put art talent on display

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Guests at the Lucy N. Holman Elementary School, Jackson, "Holman Museum of Art" and "Art Fair" examine compact disc cases designed by fifth-grade students. The special event featured works of art created by more than 600 kindergarten through fifth-grade pupils in fiber collage, paper, paint, sculpture, plaster and mobiles. The students' projects were based on the art of Amedeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, Norman Rockwell, Henri Rosseau, Paul Klee, Alexander Calder, Piet Mondrian and Native Americans. There are 681 young artists at the Lucy N. Holman Elementary School in Jackson and their work was the main focus of the recent "Holman Museum of Art" and "Art Fair."

"We mix our art with our literacy," said art teacher Karen Blenner, who started teaching about 20 years ago. "The children learn to pick up history and learn about the artists and his or her style of work at different time periods in the arts and they create art in their style. The kids are very excited. This is all about them. It's a celebration of the children."

On a tour of the school, Blenner pointed out the students' work in a variety of media.

"We have fiber collage, paper, paint, sculpture, plaster, mobiles," the teacher said. "You name it and we have it."

Pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade contributed works of art.

The teachers participate in the program by writing literacy plans and bringing them to the art program. The plans are used with the children's art work. The art projects are generated in the art room.

"This one I did with my second-graders," Blenner said, pointing to some of the creations. "It's a fiber collage in the style of Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night.' I try to do a project that teaches them about the art and the related art period."

The school gymnasium was the scene of a contest which asked visitors to name the artists. It was expected that the winner would take home a Chagall print.

Looking around the gymnasium, there was a self-portrait of every student in the school, pop art using soda bottles to create a "school of colorful fish," and clay statuette figures in motion based on the work of Edgar Degas.

Second-graders made their own beads out of clay and then designed jewelry, while fifth-graders designed their own CD covers.

"They used abstract art with some realism there," Blenner explained.

Down one hallway the works of first grade classes were exhibited. The first-graders completed their creations based on the art of Amedeo Modigliani.

"We made murals using different kinds of material," first grade teacher Gail Levy said. "The kids absolutely loved it. They're very excited."

Levy said she loves the art program, which gives the children a chance to be very creative.

In Blenner's art classroom were painted clay fortune cookies with fortunes created by the students. The students also created take-out boxes for their cookies. "Tar Beach" art work, based on Faith Ringgold's book "Tar Beach," was also on display.

Other creations included student art based on the work of Henri Matisse, Norman Rockwell, Henri Rosseau, Paul Klee, Alexander Calder, Piet Mondrian and Native American art work, to name only a few.

"It's been an incredible year," Blenner said.

Myra Walters, the Jackson School District's supervisor of fine arts and world languages, said, "I think it's inspiring. I'm very proud of what Karen Blenner has done with her students. The kids are directed by a wonderful teacher."

Principal Jeanne Pollock said she was very impressed with not only the quality of the work, but also with the variety of work that K-5 children can produce.

"I'm really thankful that I have such a dedicated art teacher," Pollock said.

"I see a lot of very creative work here," said parent Rahsam Riddick. "The kids did a good job.

- Dave Benjamin