Portside Mural - What Fun!

Three if us, Kristy Sappington, Karen willett, and myself, had a wonderful opportunity to work together on a mural for a very special project. ARC and Chets Creek have joined up to open an Academic Resource Center in one of our local neighborhoods called Portside. This center will allow the students to have a place to work on computers, view their displayed artwork in frames, check out books, and attend storytime sessions. And that is just the beginning. ARC donated two rooms for this center, one of which, the story time room, we painted a mural of the seashore. As you watch the slideshow above, you will see the transformation from gold walls to a day at the beach.

I was such fun working with Karen and Kristy not just because they are wonderful artists, but our styles seemed to meld together so well. Plus, it was just a lot of fun. The pictures don't do justice to this project, so you will have to make plans to see it in person.

I know there are other plans for this room to even take it to the next level. May 19th will be the grand opening, so come take a look.

Arts Extravaganza was a Hit!!!!!!

WOW! What a wonderful finish to a fabulous week. Arts Extravaganza was full of art experiences through guest artists, hands on activities, and a huge, school wide student artshow! There was a large turnout for this special event and fun was had by all! Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and parents that volunteered to make this a perfect evening!

Art ABOUNDS at Chets Creek

We really have a blessed situation this year in that we have 5, that's right, 5 art positions this year. Besides Mrs. Kristy Sappington and me (Jennifer Snead), we have three other "1 day a week" art teachers that will be teaching and motivating our students. Mrs. Cecilia Dushey-Ward is a veteran instructor that will be here on Tuesdays. I am excited that she will bring much wisedom and experience with her to enhance our program. Mrs. Elizabeth Miron is a new teacher this year, but don't be fooled. She is very smart and quite sharp so she will hit the ground running with some fresh ideas and enthusiasm. She will also be here on Tuesdays. Both of these teachers teach four days at another school so we really appreciate the fact that they are giving us their best on their one day at Chets Creek. Now you may be wondering at this part of the article about our fifth person. Well, at this time they have not been hired. But when that person gets here, I will introduce you to her (or him). That position will be with us on Thursdays.

On a sad note, Ms Hallie Spooner has left us to take a job at home in Ohio. She was, and of course still is, a fabulous art teacher and will be a tremendous asset to the school she serves. We will miss her greatly!!!! Best to you, Ms. Spooner!

So heres to a year full of art and creativity! Be looking for the masterpieces to soon be hitting our walls.

Sleeping Over with the First Graders

That's right! All day long we had a "sleepover" with our first grade students. It really is a lot of fun. First of all, we get to go to school in our pajamas! For that reason alone, it's fun. Then, we get to parade around the school, infront of about 1000 kids, with those cute little first graders, to show off our pajamas. Too exciting! Next, all the resource teachers set up exciting stations through which the different classes rotate during the day.

In the art lab, we did book covers , illustrating the stories the students had been (or will be )writing about their "sleepover" experience. We discussed the role of the illustrator and how they did artwork that actually told the same story in pictures that the text told in words. We learned that, many times, it is the picture on the cover of the book that first attracted us and sparked our attention to the look at and examine the book further. Then, the students went about taking on the new position as illustrator of their story. They really seemed to get into their designs, coming up with some beautiful covers.

I wish that when I was in elementary school, I had gone to a school like Chets Creek, that designed these fun days for students and teachers. I might have liked school better, maybe even tried harder. "Sleepover" is like the PLAY in Daniel Pink's book A Whole New Mind. So get your PLAY on.....and do some art while your at it!!

Kids Art Fair to Exhibit in April

Our students are working on projects that will be part of a special art exhibition to be set up on three different nights in April during our Cultural Arts week. Kids Art Fair company will take the students' works of art and put them in a double mat and black metal frame and have them displayed for parents and family to enjoy. The really wonderful part of this is that families can purchase these works of art for around $30, ready to be hung on the wall of their homes. A portion from each sale, will go to Chets Creek to suppliment the Cultural Arts fund, which helps to bring in quality presentations for all of our students as well as helps supply the resources with special materials used with students during resource classes.

Be on the lookout for an invitation for this event and be ready to RSVP, so your child's artwork will be ready. If desired, additional frames and mats can be purchased on the evening of the event, just in case you want to have your child's artwork copied for another family member.

We can't wait to see you their. If you have any questions, leave a comment and we will publish answers as we get closer to the event.