Multi-media collages and poetry created by Methow Valley sixth-graders will be displayed at Confluence Gallery & Art Center in Twisp from April 18–May 30. The student exhibit was inspired by a field trip to Confluence’s “Tracks” exhibit in January, where students explored the featured art by writing about it.
The display coincides with April being National Poetry Month.
Students first toured the gallery with sculptor and teaching artist Bruce Morrison, who discussed symbolism and imagery, use of light and dark, and the concept of abstract and realistic art.
Students then walked through the gallery looking at each work of art before settling on a piece that resonated with each of them. Author and teaching artist Shannon Huffman Polson guided students in a writing exercise that involved three phases of examining the piece of art they had chosen.
Follow-up sessions in the classroom allowed students to create a piece of art in the “Tracks” theme, as well as to move toward editing and refining the writing samples they began in the gallery. The writing samples were further polished with the help of teacher Kelly VanBueren.
Students with art displayed at Confluence are: Keeley Brooks, Aidan Catlin, Levi Colglazier, Dalynn Floyd, Travis Grialou, Annika Libby, Maggie Moore, Lena Nelson, and Skyler Welborn. The remainder of the collages and poetry will be featured at Methow Valley Elementary School.
The art residency was brought to students by Methow Arts’ Okanogan Region Arts Education Partnership.
