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During the 2007-2008 school year, Newport public school students worked with their art teachers and the education staff of NRF around the theme of the 2008 Rough Point exhibit, Zoo in the House: Animals in the Doris Duke Art Collection. The objective of the program was to extend and enrich classroom studies in Art, Language Arts and History.
The program kicked-off with a classroom session conducted by NRF educators to facilitate open-ended discussions with students, focused on the Zoo in the House 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. Over 150 pieces of student art have been voluntarily submitted by participating students in grades 3, 8 and 10-12. A rotating selection of this art was on display at Rough Point in the "Unleashed" Community Art Gallery.
A jury of local artists and educators selected from among all pieces approximately 30 that were displayed at various venues throughout the city in the fall. These juried pieces have been photographed and may also be viewed in our Online Art Gallery.
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An art exhibit to showcase all 150 pieces of student artwork created during the program was held on Sunday, November 16, 2008, from noon to 3pm in the Rotunda at Easton's Beach. |
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 Unleashed 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
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