Newport Public Education Foundation Programs

Art Education Program
In collaboration with The Newport Restoration Foundation

   

During the last school year, Newport public school students worked with their art teachers and the education staff of Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) around the theme of the 2009 Rough Point exhibit, Shop Like an Heiress: Buying Fashion in the 20th Century. The objective of the program was to extend and enrich classroom studies in Art and History. The program kicked-off with a classroom session conducted by NRF educators to facilitate open-ended discussions with students, focused on the Shop Like an Heiress exhibit. After the visit to Rough Point to view the art collections in the house and the exhibit, students returned to the classroom and, with guidance from their teacher, created their own works of art inspired by their experiences.

Approximately 150 pieces of student art have been submitted by participating students in grades 3, 8 and 10-12. A rotating selection of this art has been on display at Rough Point in the “Community Couture” student Art Gallery (Note: Rough Point closes for the winter season after Nov. 7, 2009). A selection of this work has been photographed and can be viewed on the Online Art Gallery in this website.

An exhibit of all student art created during the NPEF/NRF 2009 Art Education program will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in the Rotunda at Easton ’s Beach in Newport . This special event will showcase nearly 150 works of student art and is free and open to the public, and made possible through the generosity of William K. Varieka Fine Arts, Ltd. Refreshments are courtesy of Blackstone Catering and complimentary carousel rides for children will be provided courtesy of the City of Newport. Under the direction of Alan Bernstein, Newport Public School students will perform live music throughout the exhibit. For more information, please contact Teddy Aspergren, Art Exhibit Event Chair: 401-849-0114.

Some comments about the Student Art Education Program:

I was so very impressed with the students, given that most had little to no experience with museum treasures. Their interest and (awe) was thrilling to witness. We may never know just how their classroom pre-visits and their visit to Rough Point and the inter active participation will be implanted into their educational experience. But isn't the important issue is that they were exposed and given an opportunity to experience something new?

Kate Dempsey, Rough Point Guide

One of the most rewarding aspects of the partnership for me was the inquiry-based approach to looking at the artwork with the students. I didn't know the students had it in them to talk so much about art! To reason through one's statement and back it up with visual evidence is exactly what the students need.

Nicole Icart, 8th Grade Art Teacher, Thompson Middle School

Of course the whole idea of bringing students into Rough Point has just been amazing, but another wonderful aspect of the collaboration is the response we receive from our audiences upon entering the Community Art Gallery. They are always excited to hear about the partnership and it is wonderful to explain to them what we are doing to engage the community with the house.

Donna Robinson, Rough Point Guide