art commentary

ARTS IN EDUCATION
Part 1: Student Art Show at Guild Hall

With Marion Wolberg Weiss

While this critic feels somewhat bad for bringing up a national matter that’s not about the Iraqi War, stem cell research, AIDS, health care or the energy crisis, it’s still important to consider: education.

Specifically, art education. And while President Bush mentioned education in his recent “State of the Union” address, along with a predictable list concerning other domestic issues, he was silent on art’s importance in our society. The same applies to almost every president in recent memory, except for Bill Clinton.

As math and science continue to have top priority in the public school curriculum, the arts assume less and less significance, especially for children with learning disabilities, a growing population who learn best using visual “right brain” skills.

This year’s Student Art Festival (Part 1 from K- 8 grades) at Guild Hall as usual proves that art education, in this region at least, serves other purposes as well. One outstanding goal is the integration of art with related academic subjects, like history and cultural studies.

A good example is the Ross School’s display of ceramics replicating Egyptian coptic jars. Yet each pupil also created a personal animal to put on top of the works, subsequently combining both historical and personal elements. The results recalled pieces by well -known sculptor Diane Mayo.

Other examples are plentiful. The Wainscott School’s papier-mâché works, influenced by Mexican culture, evoked for yours truly “Day of the Dead” celebrations. Amagansett’s first grade recreated Ukiyo e-prints, charming collages on cloth that are historically based.

Some art projects had different objectives, namely to acquaint students with important artists. The Children’s Development Center of the Hamptons did just that, with their seventh grade replicating the work of Matisse and Keith Haring. (We’re glad to see a contemporary artist represented.) East Hampton Middle School also showed a keen understanding of a contemporary art movement with their Pop Art display.

Some art programs focused on form and materials rather than content, much to their credit. Such presentations included Springs School’s “Atlas of the Unknown World” by its sixth grade and its eighth grade’s wood assemblages, and the Ross School’s “Olmec Head.”

At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” when it comes to student art. Unlike other kinds of creative endeavors, including “outsider art,” work by our children is always enduring, always precious. We should consider its encouragement in our school systems as a priority. Pure and simple.

The Student Art Show, Part I, will be on view at Guild Hall until Feb. 3. Part 11 (High School) will open Feb. 17.