Art
Art and Nature
What a delight it is to be back in the Preshil community, both physically and emotionally.
Despite being a student and teacher at Preshil this is the first time I have been based in The Treehouse to truly appreciate the design and Treehouse feel. The vista and sense of being in a nest amongst leaves, provides a wonderful space for all of us to be creative. It is equally as enjoyable to be working with the Preshil kids who are full of original ideas, questions and a strong sense of self. I have been delighted with how prepared they are to explore new possibilities and share what they think is important. They are creative and recognise that we are all different and capable in our own ways.
Art this term has been about connecting with materials and using different mediums to explore and express who we are and what we are learning. We have been consolidating Claire’s programme and further understanding the elements and principles of Art. All classes have explored the design cycle to support how we organise and plan our ideas and how we can reflect on the process and final product. This supports design thinking and includes how we share our creative process. Exploring design solutions around resources, combining media, joining and resolving issues of composition, balance and structure add to an artist’s awareness of process.
The children in The Lighthouse have created pieces to explore character, setting and storytelling through masks, images, scenes and puppets. This has had direct connections to their class unit around storytelling and expression. They have all been eager to create and express themselves as artists while developing skills and being creative.
Both The Lofties and Sunroom have learned about Eco Friendly Art and the ways in which this art expresses values and considers environmental issues. In different ways this has linked to their class units and their experiences at Bush School. The Lofties have explored straw, wood and metal to understand these resources and the ways in which they can be used in an artistic way. The Sunroom have considered more fully the importance of expression through the materials you use and the message that can be shared through Art. Both groups have experienced the limitations and challenges natural resources can bring.
The Peppercorns have been engaged in their own Personal Art Project. They have shown independence and maturity in how they have reflected on the art skills they wish to develop and they have practised their self-management skills in organising and planning their project. This task is focused on the process and self-reflection used by an artist. They have been asked to keep a record of the process and to reflect on the challenges they need to overcome, and the solutions they have had to find. The children have been asked to consider themselves as learners and artists and to value the process of creation.
I am so lucky to have worked with these highly curious and creative children who value thinking, recognise problem solving as necessary. They are able to openly explore and consider new ideas and the need to be autonomous AND collaborative. They are all artists!
Lara Ronalds
Art Teacher