For the second year in a row, some of Diane Canzanese’s Larchmont Elementary School students’ artworks have been hanging near international masterpieces in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The exhibit, in the museum since Nov. 28, will be on display in the educator corridor through Dec. 16.
According to museum officials, the ongoing exhibit, “Education in Action: Art and Nature,” showcases work from both children’s art classes and the VAST (Visual Arts as Sources for Teaching) summer institute, of which Canzanese had participated.
Thirteen students from Mt. Laurel, eight in third-grade and five in fourth-grade, crafted vibrant leaf or tree projects, Canzanese said.
At Larchmont, the third-grade field trip each year is to the museum, she said, which aids in the excitement the kids in the exhibit have been feeling.
Canzanese makes connections in curriculum through her art classes, and each school year, there is a new emphasis.
“Art isn’t just a separate entity,” she said, but is connected with other areas of the curriculum.
At last year’s exhibit, which saw a high turn out, students focused on pinpointing similarities in art and language skills, she said.
According to Museum Educator and Coordinator of Teacher Programs, Rebecca Mitchell, it is a confidence booster for students who have their work on display, gives them a sense of pride while validating their work as important and inspirational.
“The show really highlights work that was done by students of teachers who have participated in our summer institute,” said Mitchell.
Canzanese was a teacher who was involved in the weeklong VAST program, Mitchell said, which included learning about the galleries, spending time with curators and being involved in hands on workshops, all the while opening the door to the student opportunity at the museum.
Being featured two years in a row is a testament to the type of teacher Canzanese is, said Mitchell.
“She really takes advantage of opportunities that are out there for her students,” she said.
Canzanese took inspiration from Monet, brought that into the classroom, and submitted artworks for display, Mitchell explained.
Through three fall projects, the students have used different techniques to craft their creations.
The most fun lesson, Canzanese said, was when the students from both grade levels went outside to draw.
They had the choice of two different trees and “they drew the trees as they saw them.”
In their next lesson, the students created a sunset watercolor silhouette with the tree colored in dark crayon.
Students got a special treat by working with real leaves from trees.
“We did all different kinds of manipulations to them,” she said, including contour line drawings.
“Contour line drawings are when you don’t look at your paper the whole time you’re doing it and you don’t lift your pencil,” Canzanese said.
The drawing does not look identical to the leaf, she said.
Through the projects, the students learned about the structure of the tree, vein patterns and how leaves turn color, she said.
The education corridor, which has been part of the museum for several years now, is right outside of the cafeteria, said Mitchell, and visitors find it interesting.
“It’s always art made by students of various ages,” she said. “It’s a highly visible space.”
Plus, “it’s a nice compliment to the art that’s on view upstairs,” Mitchell said.
The art on view is a starting point for many people, she explained.
“The art museum is not only a great place to come and view art, “ she said. “But it’s also a great place to draw inspiration from and then go and make creations of your own.”
Learn more
For more information on education programs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, visit www.philamuseum.org/education.
