Students in John F. Kennedy School’s ArtKlub have been thinking about the big picture lately. For the last two years, the 10 students in the club have painted art installations in the school’s front windows and have been commissioned to paint teachers’ classrooms.
They also painted a large mural of the United States last year in the school yard.
Two years ago, when Ramon Rodriguez was hired as an art teacher at the school, he immediately thought that the student body was in need of an art club.
“I thought of what I had when I was growing up,” said Rodriguez, who explained that during high school one of his teachers started a club after school so students could meet and work on art projects.
“It helps make the world us around us know that spring is here.” – Vidhi Parekh
________
Last year they painted a large window for the school’s PEAK gifted and talented program. This year, Principal Michael Guasconi may allow them to paint a mural on a wall.
“I think it’s important to let kids express themselves through drawing, or doing what they want to do,” said ArtKlub member Alaila Pena. “It shows people what they can do – not just sit around. You can be yourself and paint.”
Depicting spring
For this season’s window art, the club members chose different spring scenes of flowers and birds for each window.
“It helps make the world around us know that spring is here,” said Vidhi Parekh, who joined the club last fall with the hope of advancing her skills.
She said that she enjoys painting on glass more than other media, because it’s a more forgiving surface for mistakes.
Pena said that she enjoys being creative and prefers to paint.
She said she comes up with designs by observing “…objects, and the way they are, and the way they move.”
“She is very good with the brush,” said Rodriguez. “The way she does the flow of the brush, she’ll start a stroke and she’ll just follow along … she has that knack.”
Working on the window installations has taught the students how to work together, as well as other techniques like shading and using a grid to plan out larger works of art.
Beautifying their school
Rodriguez said that he is grateful to have such dedicated students who spend their time bettering their school.
“Mr. Rodriguez and his ArtKlub do this each year and each time it gets better and better,” said Vice Principal Francis Pastore. “To me this is the most detailed one he has ever done. It’s thrilling. It gives the building a welcoming atmosphere, which we haven’t had [until] he’s been here.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.