By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — When kindergartner Roan Callis finished his ‘Young at Art’ workshop painting of sunflowers earlier this year, he had no idea that it would become part of a high-profile, special exhibit at Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. But on May 8, there it was along with a myriad number of other students’ masterpieces, all mounted professionally and hung on the museum’s Community Room walls.
There was no mistaking Callis was excited about the exhibit as he pointed to his artistic creation — with his head while making a “funny face,” then breaking into a gleeful laugh and smile.
Apparently, creativity in a partnership with Blowing Rock School and BRAHM has no bounds. Now in its ninth year and spearheaded by the museum’s Education Center Director, Jennifer Garonzik, “Young at Art” is not just a student art show, but a series of in-school workshops coordinated with kindergarten through fourth grade teachers at the school.
Garonzik explained that once a month each individual class would walk the short distance to BRAHM for workshops around a specific theme or artistic style. Sometimes, the themes coincided with something the students were studying in their respective classes, such as the Vikings in history. Other themes centered around a specific artist, such as Vincent Van Gogh. And still other workshops began with the students being exposed to ongoing exhibits in the museum, such as “Considerations,” an installation by artist Sarah Vaughn, and “Ship/Shape” by painter Page Laughlin and sculptor David Finn.
“Young at Art” was made possible by financial support from the Blowing Rock Community Foundation and other donors.
Garonzik acknowledges the importance of the students’ visiting the galleries and long-term exhibits but adds, “The real magic happens down in the Wilson Education Center. That’s where the students, in their classes of 12-20 students, get hands-on experience in creating art, including inspiration from art history.
“Among the goals of this program are to give the students exposure to art in its many different styles and forms, as well as to get comfortable in coming to a museum — and to appreciate a museum. Museum manners. Don’t touch the art pieces. Be quiet and even almost reverent in appreciating the art work they are viewing. These experiences today will resonate with them. They will have more confidence in going to a museum, remembering their experiences here,” said Garonzik.
The students’ creativity in the ‘Young at Art’ partnership knows no bounds.
“Students learn about pieces or movements in art through the ages. Although projects are focused on particular subjects and techniques, the students are free to explore their use of color and composition. They are also often given a chance to create original pieces and further explore materials once their initial project is completed. We work through challenges and find solutions to persevere through projects, ‘turning mistakes into masterpieces,’” Garonzik shared about the Young at Art process and opportunity.
A student in teacher Brittany Norris’ second grade class, Sylvana Benoit not only brought the Viking ship in her imagination to life, but added white-crested waves in her ocean. The head of her Viking battleship? “It’s a cat,” she explained. And a fierce feline it is, to be sure!
Blowing Rock School Principal Madison Hollar is enthusiastic about the partnership with Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
“I had an opportunity to see last year’s ‘Young at Art’ exhibit the first week after I was named principal,” said Hollar, “and I was really impressed and excited by what I saw. It is just a short walk for these students to the museum and get exposed to so many different forms of art. I especially like the way the museum is coordinating with our teachers and the things the students are studying in class.”
The “Young at Art” exhibit at BRAHM runs through May 31. Admission to the museum is free. The Community Room is on the second floor.
