Bates Elementary in North Ogden held a fabulous art show February 8th to show off the results from their “Artist in Residence” program this year. Students met with local artist Stacy Harris for a master’s class prior to working on large paintings so they could learn about well-known artists and work with paint that they would be using. Sixth Grader Braden Radle said his favorite part was, “learning how to mix colors.”
Live music and great excitement filled the gym as students, teachers, parents, and the surrounding community came to Bates Elementary for the unveiling of the art. Students were very animated as they finally saw how their individual painted square looked when combined with the squares of their fellow students to create one large painting on canvas. The six masterpieces will adorn the walls of Bates as part of a permanent art collection.
Harris met with school principal Kitty Barney and the Bates PTA to select pictures that had meaning for the students. The pictures chosen were: Cherry Blossoms; a Moose like might be seen at the Environmental Center where the students take field trips, a Chinese Dragon for the newly launched Chinese immersion program, Kirt’s Drive Inn, Bates Elementary and Barker’s Barn which belongs to sixth grade teacher Max Barker.
“Watching the unveiling of the [paintings] was breath-taking.” Barney shared. “It was amazing to see the completed products. Each one represented something familiar and special to our local community. “She was thrilled with the experience the students had with Harris.
“I am very excited to show my family the picture I worked on,” a smiling Kendall McKay (7) said. “I love being creative and doing art.”
“It was so cool to mix the paint colors,” said Zac Hall (12) about his experience painting the murals with Harris. “I felt like a real artist.
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Students Kelbee Daines and Natalie Navarro both expressed their feelings about their experience saying, “...it felt amazing!”
Each student also had on display an artist statement they had written telling about their feelings and experiences during this process.
Bates PTA has provided a school-wide Artist in Residence program for the past 4 years where they bring in an artist to work with the students. Last year they learned African Dancing with Deja Mitchell, a local dancer.
