In the last school newsletter of last year, there was a short paragraph congratulating a small number of pupils whose artwork had been selected for exhibition at the village summer festival. As I idly glanced through, one name caught my eye.
“Hey Pearl, your art is going to be in an exhibition! What’s that all about?”
She didn’t know anything about it. As it turns out, the festival organisers had asked for some artwork at rather short notice, and the art teacher had just picked the best pieces she could. One of them was Pearl’s.
The exhibition opened yesterday afternoon, and Pearl and I hurried there after school, excited to see which of her paintings had been chosen.
Birdhouses, by Pearl aged 8
Isn’t it fabulous?!
The background is a rubbing, done over various textured surfaces. The outlines are a kind of black glue, which stands out from the page and gives a stained-glass effect to the dyed areas. The bird, a tui, was drawn separately with pencils and charcoal, and cut out and stuck on later, giving even more depth to the work.
I think the fact that Pearl’s school has a full-time art teacher who spends whole days with each class (two or three days each term) really shows in their work. Paintings and drawings aren’t just done-and-dusted in an hour or two after lunch, but planned, discussed and executed. Technique and composition are explored in depth.
Ahem. I might be a little biased.
The opening was lovely, with juice and nibbles provided, and community centre staff eager to talk to the young artists about their works, what inspired them, and how they accomplished such amazing work. There is truly some great work in the show, including portraits, mixed-media, engravings (by 8-year-olds!), and whole-class projects – from five different schools.
I hear that certificates will be awarded tomorrow at the festival closing ceremony. I hope that all the children selected for the show will be recognised.
When we get Pearl’s artwork back, we’re going to look into getting it framed for her.
© UpsideBackwards 2011.
UpsideBackwards 
February 20, 2011 at 11:27 am |
That is fantastic. Amazing art work.
February 20, 2011 at 12:22 pm |
It’s gorgeous! You should definitely frame it. Her teachers clearly chose wisely.
February 23, 2011 at 7:10 pm |
I love this! I like how the birdhouses fit together but are completely different, and the colors really “pop”!
I can see why the piece was selected as one of the best at school!
February 23, 2011 at 7:24 pm |
I passed on your comments. Pearl glowed. Thank you. 🙂