Guggenheim Learning Through Art – Spotlight on PS 48 in Staten Island
Written by Rachel, Nod’s PR & Social Media Lead
Today’s post is a continuation of a series on The Land of Nod’s sponsorship of the Guggenheim’s A Year with Children 2015, which features art created by the Guggenheim’s artist-in-residence program, Learning Through Art. Learning Through Art teaching artists partner with classroom teachers in each of the city’s five boroughs to design collaborative projects that explore art and ideas related to the classroom curriculum.
Each Tuesday in June we’re highlighting one of the school’s projects. Today’s spotlight is on PS 48 in Staten Island.
Throughout the year, fourth grade student artists learned about kinetic energy and discovered ways to make moving sculptures. Combining 3-D design principles (balance, texture, form, and space) with scientific concepts (mechanical, gravitational, electrical, and magnetic energies), students created diagrams and step-by-step instructions for their sculptures.
The residency culminated by building automatas, handmade toys powered by a simple mechanism. Student artists confronted their essential question “What moves us?” on a more personal level when they utilized both their artistic and scientific knowledge to develop unique ways to make their sculptures move.
LTA students in the classroom
Fourth grade, PS 48, Staten Island, 2015
© 2015 Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
Rose Nestler, Teaching Artist said that, “visual thinking brings out the inherent genius in students, whether they are looking closely at a work of art, drawing from observation, or building a sculpture. As a teaching artist I enable students to envision limitless possibilities in art making; this process opens new channels for students, where they feel empowered to transport their artistic brilliance, imagination, and problem-solving abilities into all aspects of their lives.”
This spring, we were honored to be one of the sponsors of A Year with Children 2015, which features art created by the Guggenheim’s artist-in-residence program, Learning Through Art. This program has been serving New York City public school students for more than forty years. Learning Through Art teaching artists partner with classroom teachers in each of the city’s five boroughs to design collaborative projects that explore art and ideas related to the classroom curriculum.