Chemung River School Project

Scholastics Exhibition!

2011-06-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

In February, CRSP students visited the Arnot Art Museum and the Chemung Valley History Museum for tours of the The Scholastics Art Show at the Arnot and a tour of the main galleries at CVHM focusing on Mark Twain. At the Arnot Art Museum, students learned how many well-known artists got their start through this competition – some right here in Elmira. Because the artwork on display is created by people just a few years older than the students themselves, children are amazed and inspired. Comparisons are made between scholastics art and the art they remembered from the picture gallery or by the Hudson River School artists they saw in November. Students tour included hands-on activities created by museum educators.

Kaye Newbury visits CRSP Classrooms

2011-04-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Kaye Newbury is the poet who worked with CRSP students this year beginning in September for the Riverwalks and again in December for an introduction to writing one of the most important traditional forms of Japanese poetry - haiku. Haiku is famous for its characteristically vivid imagery densely packed into compact sensory observations about nature. Kaye has a unique way of teaching haiku - the students play a game and write a poem together! Although the smallest of literary forms, there are many rules when writing haiku poetry. Haiku poetry has 17-syllables total with three lines consisting of five, seven and five syllables each.

Kaye transcribes students' ideas as they brainstorm animals

and objects they observed during the riverwalks.

Students have lots of ideas!

Kaye transcribes complete phrases with five and seven

syllables each. These phrases will form complete haikus.

Riverfest!

2011-04-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

Riverfest '11 is currently on display at the Arnot Art Museum! Bring your families and your students to get just a tiny glimpse at all the learning and fun that has taken place since September for Chemung River School Project students and staff! The show will be up until May 30th and features a video of all the year's activities.

Annemarie Zwack's blog!

2011-02-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

Annemarie Zwack, our artist in residence, has her own blog on which she writes and posts pictures from her work in schools as well as community projects and her own personal work! Check out these pictures from her work with CRSP at Chemung Elementary School!

http://zwackart.com/category/recent-projects/

CRSP students visit the Chemung Valley History Museum!!

2010-11-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

CRSP Students got to visit the Chemung Valley History Museum for an introduction to Native American culture and history. Children's book author, Michael DeMunn of the Seneca tribe, Hawk clan, was present to talk to the children about the Iroquois way of life and to read from his award winning book Places of Power.

Kerry Lippincott, Education Coordinator at the museum, led the children on a scavenger hunt, set up authentic games that Iroquois children used to play for CRSP children to try, presented authentic artifacts for the children to handle and identify and provided a craft for the children to take home! Watch the video below to get an idea of the rich program CRSP students were fortunate to experience.

Tanglewood in the classroom at Chemung Elementary School!

2010-10-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

Ian McLaughlin introduces new concepts and reinforces lessons already learned to Cynthia Sindoni's attentive students at Chemung Elementary School in the Waverly School District

Students learn that all parts of the food web are connected.

Students "become" various parts of the food web - producers, herbivores, omnivores or carnivores - and discover that damage to one part of the food web has consequences for all organisms in other parts of the food web.

Cynthia Sindoni takes photographs during Ian's presentation

Box Turtle

Yellow Spotted Salamander

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Broad tailed hawk

The students are enthralled with "Icarus" as they learn, not only natural science, but Greek mythology as well!

Students write in their CRSP journals which they will keep all year

The principal, Mr. Mastrantuono visits the classroom as Sharon Bella assists the teacher

CRSP Riverwalks - Fall 2010!

2010-10-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Award winning poet, Kaye Newbury, on site with the fortunate students from the Horseheads Central School District enrolled in the Chemung River School Project, She introduces the concept of journaling with the students and paying close attention with their senses.

Ian McLaughlin, naturalist from Tanglewood Nature Center, introduces students to the science behind the flora and fauna of the Chemung River.

A boy shows off the exoskeleton of a crayfish he found. He learned from Ian that crayfish are freshwater crustaceans and are arthropods.

A boy writes and draws intently in his journal

Mr. Bartley, 4th grade teacher from Center Street School in the Horseheads Central School District writes in his journal too! Mr. Bartley, along with his colleagues, Elaine Benton and Amy Karastury, have enrolled their students in CRSP for many years.

The children begin observing and exploring along the Chemung River

Writing in their journals

A video capturing just a few of the special moments for Horsehead's Center Street student's during their time spent with Kaye Newbury and their teacher, Bob Bartley. Check the archives for blog entries from Riverwalks past!

Coming very soon will be photos and video from the Tanglewood Classroom Visits by Ian McLaughlin with Cynthia Sindoni's 4th graders at Chemung Elementary School.

For more information about the Chemung River School Project, see the contact information to the right.

Chemung River School Project 2009/2010 in review

2010-06-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Another school year is over, but we have many fond memories of the adventures, fun and multi-disciplinary learning that has taken place all year long for the fortunate students who participated in the Chemung River School Project.

They are fortunate to have administrators and teachers at their schools who have been willing to go the extra mile (literally and figuratively) for their students! Because of these instructors, their education is enriched in ways most parents would choose for their own children if they could make such a choice.

Administrators and teachers this year included:

Waverly Central School District
Michael McMahon, Superintendent

Chemung Elementary School
1) Dave Mastrantuono, Principal
2) Jeanne Gridley. Jeanne has retired and will not be returning next year. This is sad for us, but we have happy wishes for Jeanne!
3) John McGuire. John was the Chemung Elementary School Principal for many years and remains an avid supporter of the Chemung River School Project. He, too, will be greatly missed!

Horseheads School District
Dr. Ralph Marino, Jr., Superintendent
Alice Learn, Asst. Superintendent

Center Street Elementary School
1) Principal, Patricia Sotero
2) Robert Bartley
3) Elaine Benton
4) Amy Karastury

Big Flats
1) Elizabeth Scaptura, Principal
2) Danielle Aepelbacher
3) Lisa Comer
4) Maren Schiefen

ELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT:
Joseph Hochreiter, Superintendent
Mary Jane Eckel, Arts Coordinator for the Elmira City School District

Diven School
1) Pam Davis-Webb, principal
2) Jessica Ossiboff
3) Darla Smith
4) Corina Forsythe
5) Christopher Reger
6) Wendy Zepp

Scroll down this multi-media blog and click on the videos to review the variety of experiences provided by the teaching artists, naturalists and arts institutions listed below who share with us their talent, expertise and dedication to this program.

Elaine Farwell, Emily Hofelich-Jack and Ian McLaughlin of the Tanglewood Nature Center; Sue Smith Heavenrich, poet; Rhonda Morton, poet, performance artist; Joan Neece, Native American presenter; Kerry Lippincott, Chemung Valley History Museum; Georgeanna Keser, teaching artist; Wendy Taylor, Director of Tours and Rick Pirozzolo, Executive Director of the Arnot Art Museum; Annemarie Zwack, teaching artist; Toni Gardner, Anne Hughes, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators.

Have a wonderful summer and hope to see you all next fall for another year of adventure, fun and learning. We have some wonderful new projects (along with old favorites) planned for next year!

For more information on the award winning Chemung River School Project, contact the Arnot Art Museum at 607-734-3697 or e-mail solrane@earthlink.net Enrollment for the program is open for a limited time.

Spring Riverwalks 2010!

2010-06-03T12:58:00.001-07:00

Performance artist and poet, Rhonda Morton and Naturalist Educator, Ian McLaughlin from Tanglewood Nature Center presented the Spring Riverwalks to CRSP students. Both presenters asked students to draw on experiences during the fall riverwalks and classroom visits as written in the journals they kept all year.

Morton focused on the use of simile and metaphor in writing and was able to inspire the students to generate some of their own through careful and quiet observation and techniques for building sensory and writing "muscles."

The grass smells like a fresh salad....The tall grass looks like mist rising...The leaves look like a small bed...the creek whooshes like a conductor's wand...The clover looks like butterflies...The grass looks like the back of a giant bug.

McLaughlin reviewed the water cycle with his students and introduced them to some new fauna. Students learned where the Wyncoop Creek originated and had lots of fun exploring it and discovering new creatures especially hiding under rocks. For some 4th graders, it was their first experience finding crayfish and small bugs and amphibians in the wild.

Center Street teacher, Bob Bartley, accompanies his students to the Chemung River.

A wood pecker was on hand at the Wyncoop Creek offering plenty of sensory output!

It sounds like A whole orchestra: the woodpecker is a drum, the other birds are flutes, the clothes rubbing sound like a guitar...

The woodpecker sounds llike a man chopping wood...

The flowers look like confetti...

Center Street teacher, Elaine Benton, documents the event with her camera.

Riverfest 2010!

2010-05-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Below are some samples of projects Chemung River School Project students created during the artist, Annemarie Zwack's residency in January. Fourth graders from Chemung Elementary School in Waverly, NY and Center Street and Big Flats Schools in Horseheads created miniature books in which they imagined themselves as water droplets in the water cycle. Students both wrote and illustrated these very imaginative adventures! Students at Diven Elementary School created beautiful posters with environmental themes using collage, cut paper and mixed media. Riverfest! is on display until June 22nd at the Arnot Art Museum.

Cornell Cooperative Extension at Diven School

2010-04-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Students at Diven Elementary School were treated to a program presented by Toni Gardner and Anne Hughes from the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Toni and Anne talked to children about the water cycle, water usage and water conservation. Students were given much fascinating and surprising, information designed to impress upon them the need to preserve our precious resources. The video and photos below tell the story!

Covering Big Flats

2010-03-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Students in Danielle Aepelbacher's class recently refined the book covers they made during Annemarie Zwack's residency in January.

Annemarie Zwack worked with CRSP students on making handmade books. She first read her own book entitled "Color Me Earth" outloud to the class and noted the illustrations she made with cloth and paint. As "Color Me Earth" is told from the point of view of the Earth, she then asked students if they knew who was speaking in the book, and asked them about the cycles that they may have noticed (the water cycle, and the decomposition of a tree that in turn feeds the earth).

Students also discussed "What is an Artist" and talked about how an artist can find inspiration. Zwack draws inspiration from topics she feels strongly about, and even materials that support her ideas are all sources of inspiration for me.

The Chemung River, of course, was the topic for this project. Annemarie wanted students to think about the role the Chemung River (or water) plays in our lives? "Will we always have access to free clean drinking water? Does anything threaten our clean water supply? Does everyone on the planet have clean water to drink? Why? What do you think it will be like in the future? Is there any substitute for water?"

Students then made their own books which will be on display in May at the Arnot Art Museum!

The stated purpose of the project was to 1) increase awareness of the work of contemporary artists, 2) to enhance students' understanding of the role artists play in the larger socio-political cultural sphere, 3) to increase awareness of the importance of research in the work of many contemporary artists, 3) 5o enhance students' understanding of water conservation 4) to enhance critical thinking skills 5) o introduce the concept of collaboration and community in making art 6) o introduce to students basic graphic design skills 7) to introduce to students the many ways in which the arts intersect with other areas of the curriculum, 8) to demonstrate to students the common threads linking art made in the past with contemporary art.

Annemarie noted that contemporary artists find inspiration in the world around them, just as the Hudson River School of painters was inspired by water and their environment.

A Visit to the Arnot Art Museum in February

2010-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

A visit to the Arnot Art Museum in November

2010-03-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Introducing Rhonda Morton in December!

2009-11-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

In December, Rhonda Morton will be visiting the schools to introduce Chemung River School students to haiku poetry and to discuss seasonable changes. Students will refer to their journals full of notes taken during the autumn riverwalks with Tanglewood Nature Center educators and the poet, Sue Heavenrich. (See the post below).

Rhonda is new to CRSP, but she brings lots of experience as a writer, poet and improvizational performance artist to the program. She has taught children and adults of all ages. Check out the link to an educational children's television program - Move it! - on which she recently appeared!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP5K2cZfelA

http://rhondamorton.com/collegeresidencies.html

Rhonda Morton is a poet, performance artist, dancer and singer with a particular interest in improvisation in all those roles. In 2005, Rhonda formed Alligator Mouth Improv, a four-person ensemble that draws on theatre, movement, vocals, music and storytelling, all created in the moment, often from audience input and interaction. Rhonda is the author of two books of poetry -- Woman Seeking Water (FootHills Publishing, 1997) and Breathing In, Breathing Out (FootHills Publishing, 2001) -- as well as a book of short-short stories, She Opens the Suitcase (FootHills Publishing, 2009). She is a poet of the stage as well as the page, and has been the featured reader at venues throughout the Northeast since her first performance on the Centerway Bridge in Corning, NY, in 1992.

Rhonda is also a skilled workshop facilitator and has worked with groups of every type -- from pre-schoolers to trust bankers -- to open up the potential and harness the creativity in individuals and groups.

In addition, she is certified as a leader of InterPlay, an improvisation-based approach to personal and organizational effectiveness practiced around the world, and she conducts creative writing workshops for adults and teens. In 1997, she founded GirlSmarts®, a series of workshops and retreats that use the arts to help teenage girls understand who they are and what they want out of their lives. In 2005, Rhonda was awarded the Arts Partnership Award from The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes for "tirelessly supporting others in their artistic endeavors, for encouraging young poets and musicians, and mentoring young women with her passion for and commitment to the arts."

Teachers, mentors and major creative influencers include Chemung River School Project poet, Michael Czarnecki, Martin Keogh, Bonnie McCubbin, Phil Porter, Rhiannon, Owen Walker, Sarah Williams, and Cynthia Winton-Henry.

Native American Arts and Crafts at the Chemung Valley History Museum

2009-11-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

Karen Gilpin assisted in presenting the Native American program at the Chemung Valley History Museum in November. She offered crafts instruction to 4th grade students. Boys made dream catchers whilst girls made dolls. Many parents were on hand to assist!

Meanwhile, Joan Neece introduced the children to the music and legends of the Native Americans who lived in this region.

Diven Students visit the Tanglewood Nature Center

2009-10-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

Tanglewood Nature Center naturalist and educator, Ian McLaughlin, gives Diven Elementary School students a tour of the grounds at Tanglewood Nature Center. More pictures and a video to come later!

CRSP at the Wyncoop Creek!

2009-10-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Sue Smith Heavenrich with 4th grade students from Chemung Elementary School as they "listen intently for nature's sounds." To learn more about Sue and her program, see the October 6, 2008 post entitled

RIVERWALKS - SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ARTS BY THE RIVER!

The students are eager to pay attention to the environment with all their senses. They will write about their experiences in their journals.

Their teacher, Jeanne Gridley, actively engages her students in the presentation.

Many parents are also present as they chaperone the class.

Jean Schultz poses with her daughter, Ashley who says the riverwalk is "really fun!"

J.D. displays a "baby banana slug" she found.

Lisa LaRock stands with her sons, Michael and Matt. Matt was happy to report that he was learning about "a whole bunch of creatures and creeks!"

Carrie Parker and Marcella B. spot something in the water

CRSP naturalist and artist, Sue Heavenrich, points out a water strider to Vinnie.

Mrs. Talada with her son, Dewain.

Jeanne Gridley, Mrs. Talada and Mrs. Schultz discuss the many merits of the riverwalks with the Chemung River School Project.

Riverfest!

2009-07-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

The Arnot Art Museum sponsored a Riverfest featuring the arts and crafts of regional artists. Students who had participated in the Chemung River School Project had work they created throughout the year on display at the Arnot Art Museum and the Chemung Valley History Museum for a wonderful culmination to an educational and exciting year both inside and outside the classroom. As always, the Chemung River was, and will continue to be, the pivot around which the program revolves and the inspiration for our teaching artists and naturalists. Preservation of the river and the waters of the world is part of the mission of CRSP.

We at the Arnot Art Museum remain as dedicated as ever to educating young people in all areas of the curriculum through the arts. Indeed, NY State standards in social studies, language arts, science, and the arts are satisfied through programs which have been carefully crafted through the input of museum educators, CRSP teaching artists and classroom teachers. CRSP has been nationally recognized by the NY State Council on the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts. Our educators and presenters are HIGHLY educated and qualified to teach and are willing to work with your teachers to tailor the CRSP curriculum to meet the needs of regional schools. Many of our presenters, past and present, have received awards for their art and/or their teaching and we are fortunate and honored to have them working with us. Just this past year, one of our teaching artists - Damali Abrams - was granted a very prestigious fellowship with the A.I.R. Gallery in New York City. Annemarie Zwack and Diedra Krieger each continue to exhibit their work in national venues and receive awards for their work. Damali and Diedra will not be working with us this coming year, but we are happy to have Annemarie Zwack continue with us. Our writer, Sue Smith Heavenrich has been published in numerous venues and has had years of experience teaching children. Our museum educators at the Arnot Art Museum and the staff at Tanglewood Nature Center, Chemung Valley History Museum and the Cornell Cooperative Extension are, without exception, highly educated, experienced and passionate about their work. The cost of bringing these talented artists and educators into your classroom on an individual basis would be prohibitive, but is an excellent value through CRSP.

Below are examples of projects which were completed during Annemarie Zwack's January residency at Center Street School in Horseheads and Chemung Elementary School in Waverly, NY. Many teachers also included the haiku poetry created with Sue Smith Heavenrich during the winter session when she returned to the classroom to follow up their fall session during the riverwalks and to discuss, among other things, seasonal changes to the environment. Students also reflected on the journal writing they had done in the fall and practiced the art of paying attention with all their senses. Students' introduction to writing haiku poetry developed language arts skills as well as nurtured a love for literature and enhanced their appreciation for the natural environment. To read more about Sue's program, see the archive below dated and titled Monday, October 6, 2008 RIVERWALKS - SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ARTS BY THE RIVER!

This mixed media drawing and fabric collage is called Jewels, like the accompanying haiku.

Jewels

Fishing swimming nicely

Big mountains with purple peaks

A bird flies around

Two more exemplary examples of fabric collages. Select student work was placed in frames and displayed in the front gallery at the Arnot Art Museum.

Chemung River School Spring Riverwalk!

2009-07-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Chemung River as it appeared last spring.

In May, students returned to the Chemung River with the staff at Tanglewood as well as the writer, Sue Smith Heavenrich, to observe seasonal changes and their impact on the environment. Students had honed writing skills and learned what it means to be ‘adapted” to an area and/or certain environmental conditions. They gained an idea of what an introduced species is and the effect that such species can have on natives. Concepts of adaptability were addressed and students were asked to reflect on the implications of environmental change as it related to the life and health of organisms adapted to a given ecosystem.

Emily Hofelich-Jack, educator from Tanglewood, holds up a specimen captured from the waters of the Chemung River for all the students to examine before returning to its home.

To read more about the students' adventures during the Riverwalks, please look through the archives for the Thursday, October 9, 2008 TANGLEWOOD VISITS blog and the Monday, October 6, 2008 RIVERWALKS - SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ARTS BY THE RIVER! entry.

Annemarie Zwack, Scholastics and Cornell Cooperative Extension

2009-04-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

Annmarie Zwack presented a program to students at Center Street Elementary School in Horseheads as well as Chemung Elementary School in Waverly - one that was so successful, she will be back for the 2009/10 school year. In her teaching, as well as her personal artwork, her talent, as well as her passion for stewardship of the earth, its waters, and environment, are evident.

In the photograph below, students are holding and waving a piece of fabric which represents a river. Students were asked to recall their experiences during the riverwalks and trips to the Arnot Art Museum. Students draw on their knowledge of the Hudson River School of Art, as well as the newly introduced contemporary arts to which Ms. Zwack introduces them. Students used fabric and colored pencils to create mixed media collages with the subject of the river and ecology. To see some of these works, go to the archive entitled "Riverfest," at http://chemungriverschool.blogspot.com/2009/07/riverfest.html

Annmarie showed the students many slides including work by contemporary artists, as well as her own. She is a gifted artist who has exhibited her work nationally, and is also a published children's book illustrator. The slide below includes a page from her own children's book, "Color Me Earth."

Below is the cover to her children's book.

To read more about Annemarie, visit her web-site at http://www.zwackart.com/

We are so happy to Annemarie on board!

In February, students returned to the Arnot Art Museum for a tour of the Scholastics Art Show and the Chemung Valley History Museum for tours of two of their main exhibitions. The Scholastics Art Show has a long history at the Arnot Art Museum and students learned how many well-known artists got their start through this competition – some right here in Elmira. Because the artwork on display is created by people just a few years older than the students themselves, children are amazed and inspired. Comparisons are made between scholastics art and the art they remembered from the picture gallery or by the Hudson River School artists they saw in November. By this time, students are beginning to acquire some fluency in the language used in the analysis and interpretation of visual art. This tour includes hands-on activities created by museum educators. In the photograph below, museum educator, Wendy Taylor introduces students to the permanent collection in the Picture Gallery at the Arnot Art Museum. In the photograph above, Amy Karastury and her students engage in activities revolving around the Scholastics exhibition.

At the Chemung Valley History Museum, students immersed themselves in a stimulating environment to learn about life in the past. They complete “exhibit encounter” packets as they moved through museum exhibits focusing on two local celebrities, Mark Twain and Floyd Woodhull.

Cornell Cooperative Extension

In April representatives from the Cornell Cooperative Extension visited the classroom introducing students to the dirty job of keeping water clean. Students were introduced to the water cycle and asked to ponder why water is so important. Emphasis was on conservation and students become more conscientious about the water we all consume and pollute daily. Hands-on activities followed a school-yard hike.

Janna Keser, visiting artist for the Chemung River School Project

2009-01-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

Janna Keser is a teacher, docent and volunteer at the Arnot Art Museum and has been so for many years. In the photograph above, she can be seen assisting a student at Beecher School last year where students who participated in CRSP collaborated on mixed media murals with a river theme. The children drew upon their journals and their memories of their experiences during the riverwalks and Tanglewood visits to populate the murals with aquatic and terrestrial creatures of the Chemung River region.

Janna is very well qualified to engage in the many services she provides for the Arnot Art Museum. In addition to being an artist herself, she has a Master of Science in Education from Elmira College with 50 additional graduate credits in Studio Art/Education. She also has her Permanent New York State Certification in Art Education for K-12. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Dunbarton College inWashington, D.C. She has taught Art in grades Pre-K - 12 in private schools in Maryland and Elmira, NY, as well as private lessons. Currently she serves as Supervisor of Student Teachers for Elmira College from 2000 - 2007

Janna has spent many hours as a volunteer in the Elmira region for the Science and Discovery Center, The Rockwell Museum of Western Art and, of course, the Arnot Art Museum. For every hour she spends in the classroom, she spends twice the amount in preparation for each class.

Janna is shown above in the East Gallery introducing students to the Hudson River of Art.

We at the Arnot don't know what we would do without Janna's dedication as made evident by the many long hours of research and preparation she puts into tours and programs for children!

THANK YOU JANNA KESER!

Follow up activity for Gardner Road students

2009-01-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

Students at Gardner Road Elementary School were given follow-up sheets for their experience with visiting artists, Diedra Krieger and Damali Abrams. Below are the answers (in red font), along with a review of the program. Keep in mind that in art, the "answers" can be questioned! Indeed, we hope our programs encourage and help develop critical thinking and divergent thinking skills. We always encourage questions that can be backed up with sound reasoning.

Thomas Cole, Autumn in the Catskills 1827, oil on panel

solitary artist, activist art, two-dimensional media, landscape, Hudson River School of Art

Students in the Chemung River School Project were treated to an intensive introduction to the work of the Hudson River School artists in November by artist/teacher, Janna Keser at the Arnot Art Museum (see blog post below entitled November tours at the Arnot Art Museum). The museum has considerable holdings of representational art from various countries and eras in history including a significant collection of Hudson River School art. During this session, students learned that the Hudson River School artists who painted nearly 200 years ago, were ACTIVISTS as well as painters. Their paintings depicted nature in such as way that people began to feel the land was worthy of protection; thus, the work they did was instrumental in establishing our first national parks! Artists frequently hope their art works to make the world a better place. The November tour at the Arnot introduced students to art that was just part of a long continuum of activist art that has existed from the moment human-beings have held implements for drawing in their hands. Diedra and Damali continue the tradition of art and activism, but, as Gardner students have seen, the forms their art takes considerably departs from their Hudson River School predecessors. Through the follow-up exercise, it is hoped that students consider both the similarities and differences.

Diedra Krieger, Plastic Fantastic, installation, 2008

collaboration, activist art, installation, performance art, digital media, contemporary art

While the Hudson River School artists were solitary painters and their art may still fit the popular conception of what an artist does – paint landscapes or portraits or still-lifes alone in their studios or in the field (and many contemporary artists do), the work of many other contemporary artists does not in any way resemble the work of their predecessors. Artists today not only paint on canvas, but utilize a wide variety of materials to create sculptures, installations, video and performance art among many other forms. Many also work collaboratively, as do our visiting artists, Diedra and Damali. As with the Hudson River School artists, however, many of today's artists still intend for their art to make the world a better place. Diedra Krieger's geodesic dome as inspired by the inventor of the dome, Buckminster Fuller,* was made using over 4,000 post-consumer water bottles. (It was, in her words, a "nomadic, immersive environment." Diedra wanted it to be "a site unlike any room or space one may frequent....It is the site of an integrated program of events, including the making of the environment, music events, a video shoot, interviews, education, activism, social gatherings, and performance. The overwhelming use of materials function not just as an aesthetic but as a strategy to raise awareness and criticality about the everyday and the basic right to water." As Diedra and Damali stressed to Gardner Road students, their artwork is both collaborative and activist at the same time.

Diedra Krieger with camera at Gardner Road Elementary School

collaboration, activism, digital media, performance art, contemporary art

Diedra's dome is the site of video-shoots as well as the site where the videos can be viewed. Of course, the Hudson River School artists did not have access to the sophisticated technology used to create digital art, but if you frequent galleries and museums today - especially in large cities, a good share of the art work you see is digital or in the form of installation. At Gardner Road, students were able to witness part of Diedra's process as well as that of Damali Abrams. They watched performances via video by the artists, and then collaboratively improvised their own performances and created their own videos. They also made posters which contained messages about conservation and served as "commercials" for their videos - just as the artists have done. For this experience, the process was much more important than the product.

For the Birds Too - an interactive installation of multiple "flying" bird sculptures at the Rathbone Gallery, The Sage Collegs, Albany, NY, October 8 - November 10, 1998.

collaboration, digital media, performance art, contemporary art

This is an example of work that can be found in the galleries of today. http://www.janeingramallen.com/Janeweb-birdstatement/Sage/sage.htm

solitary artist, activist art, collaboration, close-up, performance artist, contemporary art

Damali Abrams is a multi-disciplinary artist who sometimes works alone and sometimes works with others. She is a performance artist, but, like Diedra, she also creates installations and does two-dimensional artwork. Among other interests, Damali is concerned with health and nutrition, self-esteem of children, literacy and increasing awareness of issues pertaining to race, gender and class. Gardner Road students were inspired by her video-art and learned about healthy habits as they did so!

Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, Swimming in the River, needlework and fabric collage

solitary artist, activist art, textile, two-dimensional media, landscape, contemporary art

In November, students of CRSP were also privileged to view a few works from a temporary exhibition of art by Holocaust Survivor, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz called "Fabric of Survival."

Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, along with her sister Mania, were the only members of their family, and among the few Jews in their Polish village, to survive the Holocaust....In 1977, at the age of 50, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz began creating works of fabric art to depict her stories of survival. Over a 20-year period she created a collection of 36 needlework and fabric collage pictures which are now on public exhibition. http://www.artandremembrance.org/

Krinitz' work is two-dimensional, but stands out in stark contrast to other works in the permanent collection at the museum. Krinitz' work was not created using paint on canvas, but her needle and thread. "Swimming in the River" depicts a happy time in Krinitz' young life - before the Nazi invasion. Next week, Center Street students will be studying with another artist who makes textile art (among other things) - Annemarie Zwack.

Oyler Wu, Collaborative installation “Live Wire”

Collaboration, installation, contemporary art

This is another example of art that might be found in a contemporary art gallery or museum today. http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/4565/live-wire-by-oyler-wu-collaborative.html

activist art, collaboration, close-up, digital media, performance art, contemporary art

Gardner Road Students watch their performances on video during class for the first time.

War against War by Kathe Kollwitz

solitary artist, activist art, two-dimensional media,

As with "For the Birds, Too," and "Live Wire," Kollwitz' art is not work we looked at, but is a good example of activist art by a woman who is not a contemporary artist. She created her drawings and prints about 90 years ago. She was the only woman who painted at the same time as a group of artists we now call the German Expressionists. Her art was a way to express her grief, her anger, and her frustrations during World War I.

The Survivors was used for a peace congress in 1922 in The Hague, Holland. The text on the right says: Do not teach the children to glorify the war and war hero's. Teach them to despise war. http://www.greatwar.nl/kollwitz/kollwitzkaart.html

Alice Walker Speaks the Truth, Annemarie Zwack, quilt

solitary artist, activist art, textile, two-dimensional media, contemporary art

Annemarie Zwack is one of our teaching artists who is visiting the schools for the Chemung River School project. She will be working with students at Center Street Elementary School in Horseheads starting Monday, January 26th. Like Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, Annemarie works with textiles. However, Krinitz did embroidery and needlework to create tapestry-like works, while Annemarie makes quilts. In addition to textile art, Ms. Zwack also paints, draws and works with a variety of mixed-media. To learn more about her, see her post on this blog called Annemarie Zwack joins Diedra Krieger and Damali Abrams in January

wide-angle

Miss Shutter, teacher extraordinaire, surrounded by her students during Diedra and Damali's program last week.

Miss Shutter close-up!

Thank you, Miss Shutter - and to all the teachers and staff at Gardner Road - Principal, Mrs. Lisa Kelly, 4th grade teachers, Mrs. Setzer, Mrs. Shutter and Mrs. Bates - for helping Diedra and Damali to create a memorable and enriching experience for the 4th grade students at Gardner Road!

*About the dymaxion map invented by Buckminster Fuller

Buckminster Fuller was the inventor of the geodesic dome and the dymaxion map. Students at Gardner Road were introduced to both during Diedra and Damali's program. They were given copies of two dimensional dymaxion maps and learned how to assemble them into globes. Fuller found existing flat maps to grossly distort the size and proportions of land and water masses. He found a way to stay true to proportions in replicating a spherical map (the globe) on a flat, two-dimensional surface. To learn more about Fuller and his ingenious ideas and inventions, go to

http://inventors.about.com/od/dstartinventions/a/domes.htm

Annemarie Zwack joins Diedra Krieger and Damali Abrams in January

2009-01-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

Annemarie Zwack is a regional artist who brings lots of talent, enthusiasm and experience to the Chemung River School project. She has exhibited her work nationally, published a children's book, taught children through adults in regional schools and community art centers and was named Ithaca Festival ‘artist of the year’ for 2008. Among other places, her work has been reviewed in the Washington Post and, most recently, been seen in NYC at the Puffin Room.

She will be working with Center Street students in the coming weeks. She is perfect for the program as her passion for stewardship of the earth, its waters and environment are evident throughout all her work. Below is the cover to her children's book. Welcome Annemarie!

To read more about Annemarie, visit her web-site at http://www.zwackart.com/

November tours at the Arnot Art Museum

2008-11-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Janna Keser in the East Gallery at the Arnot Art Museum

In November, 2008, Chemung River School Project students (or CRSP) visited the Arnot Art Museum for tours and a hands-on activity with museum educators and visiting artist, Janna Keser. Janna provided the students with an intensive introduction to the Hudson River School of painting which included works by Thomas Cole, and Alfred Bierstadt. By studying the past and the effects of artists on society, and by studying contemporary artists and their aims, students can begin to see themselves as agents of change in their environment. Through the analysis and interpretation of artwork, students develop skills in expressing ideas, feelings, and attitudes - all evidence of a successfully developed human being. These skills are part of an ongoing process for students (and adults). The study of historical and contemporary artists will assist the students in their struggles with different media and with their own personal expression in their art work. Familiarity with visiting museums will create comfort in their adult lives with viewing artwork and formulating their own opinions about it.

During Janna's program, students learned that the Hudson River School artists were a group of American painters who lived in the mid-19th century. They painted romantic landscapes depicting the scenery of the Catskill Mountains, the Adirondack Mountains of New York State and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In their own way, these painters were activists and presented the land in a way that moved people to want to preserve it. Thus, they were very instrumental in the formation of our first national parks.

Autumn in the Catskills, Thomas Cole, 1827, Oil on panel

Using maps and photographs, Janna also introduced students to famous rivers of the world including the Nile, Amazon, Yangtze, Ganges, Danube, Seine, Thames, Mississippi, Colorado, Hudson, Susquehanna and Chemung. In her discussion, she included the uses of rivers and environmental concerns. Students engaged in a group exercise with colored pencil drawings to show how the landscape of the river may have changed from the mid-19th Century to the present. Her objectives included:

•To explain how artists can effect societal and environmental change.
•To explore the importance of artists in society.
•To examine processes used by artists.
•To inspire spontaneity, creativity and confidence in students.
•To examine a wide variety of artistic expressions.
•To illustrate how artists can create awareness of the environment by studying artists of the past.
•To explain the importance of the Hudson River School artists in American history
•To explore reasons Hudson River School artists painted landscapes.
•To compare and contrast contemporary artists with Hudson River School artists.

While Janna did her presentation, a second class was busy in the Picture Gallery at the museum for a tour and introduction to the permanent collection. In the photograph below, Rick Pirozzolo greets the students and tells them true stories about the origins of the museum, giving students some valuable insights into their regional heritage. The picture gallery is special as it has been preserved from the days when the Arnot Art Museum was the residence of Matthias Arnot, founder of the museum. All the original furniture and sculptures remain and the landscapes, interiors, portraits and still lifes are still hung in salon style, just as Matthias Arnot preferred.

Students were given various activities, including a "scavenger hunt" which encouraged them to look closer at the paintings as they were introduced to works by European artists - some of whom lived several centuries ago. Below is just a sampling of the museum's permanent collection to which the students were introduced.

A Mountain Stream, Gustave Courbet, 1860, Oil on canvas.

Although this depicts a stream in France, it feels very close in spirit to the work of the Hudson River School artists who lived and worked across the Atlantic Ocean!

The Flemish Fair, Jan Brueghel, the Elder, 1613, Oil on copper

Painted 400 years ago, students can get an idea of the architecture, clothing, and customs of the period in Northern Europe. Jan Brueghel, the Elder, was the son of Pieter Breughel, a very famous painter. In this painting, he took a “bird’s-eye” view. A Flemish Fair is set on the banks of a canal. In it you can see the village church and another village off in deep space. How does Brueghel create this sense of space?

Apple Gatherers, Jean-Francois Millet, 1851-1853, Oil on canvas

Millet was a painter who was interested in the lives of common folk. In "Apple Gatherers," he depicts peasants picking fruit at night in this unusual scene. Do you remember what a peasant is?

The Marabou, Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1889, Oil on canvas

"The Marabou" was painted by a French artist, but the scene is thought to take place in the Middle East. The marabou is the bird to the right, a bird found in Africa and noted for its lack of ability to make sounds. Some students thought the marabou was a metaphor for the man in gold - a very sophisticated interpretation for fourth graders.

Head of a Man, Robert Henri, 1910
Oil on canvas, 24 x 20-1/4"Museum purchase, 1966

This painting was one of the few portraits students looked at during their tour. It was painted much more recently than many of the other paintings in the picture gallery. The painting technique is looser here and this is a portrait of another "common" man. Henri, along with eight other artists who painted in 1908, formed "The Ash Can School" of art because of their interest in everyday life and social issues.

Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, Janiszew Prison Camp, embroidery and fabric collage

Born in 1927, Esther survived World War II. Untrained as an artist, but trained as a dressmaker, Krinits embroidered these works for her two daughters at the age of 50. She had no idea they would ever be displayed for the public. At first, she wanted her daughter to draw the pictures for her, but her daughter said she would have no idea what the places and people looked like. They consist of Krinitz' memories as a young girl while she was growing up in a Polish village during World War II. When she was 12 years old, German soldiers invaded her town. JANISZEW PRISON CAMP illustrates her memory of that awful event. To learn more about Esther Krinitz and her work, go to http://www.artandremembrance.com/

Below are photographs of some of the many students, teachers, museum staff and parents and grandparents who participated in the activities at the museum.

Mothers pose with their sons in the photographs above.

Students scramble to find all the paintings during the scavenger hunt.

Students discover that looking requires time and close observation.

Bob Bartley, 4th grade teacher at Center Street School, discusses a painting with his students during the scavenger hunt in the Picture Gallery.

Chemung Elementary School 4th grade teacher, Jeanne Gridley, artist/educator, Janna Keser and Director of Tours, Wendy Taylor, look on.

Another mother and son.

Even grandmothers accompany their grandchildren on the tours.

http://www.artandremembrance.com/

In sum, many of the artists to whom the students were introduced had many similarities. Except for a few marble sculptures and the embroidered collages of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, all the artists painted on canvas. They painted highlly representational landscapes, interiors and portraits. Additionally, many of the artists were also activists who had a variety of social concerns. In January, students will meet contemporary artists who, like their predecessors, care deeply about creating awareness of injustices and social concerns. The media they choose, however, is vastly different, impressing upon students the wide range of what it means to be an artist.

Vocabulary words and concepts:
•original
•reproduction
•artist
•collector
•landscape
•portrait
•sculpture
•bust
•embroidery
•textile
•Hudson River School
•John Arnot
•Matthias Arnot
•salon
•World War II

Native American culture at the Chemung Valley History Museum

2008-10-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

This mastodon tusk is on display at the Chemung Valley History Museum. Students involved with the Chemung River School Project visited the museum this week for Native American presentations facilitated by Joan Neece and Lois Lovgren. The mastodon tusk is significant because the Chemung River got its name when such a horn was discovered there by the Woodland Indians. The Native American word for "Chemung" was pronounced "Shee-nung," meaning "River of Horns."

From the left, Chemung Valley History Museum Director of Education, Kerry Lippincott, poses with Lois Lovgren, "Star Power, " and Joan Neece, "Owl Woman," at the museum for presentations for 4th grade students at Center Street in Horseheads. Lois presented examples of rainmakers to the students during a workshop she led on Native American crafts. Students also made jewelry, dolls, dream pillows and many more things. Center Street teacher, Amy Karastury, is shown with her students who display the dream pillows they made under the tutelage of Lois Lovgren. Beth Sheahan accompanied her daughter, Marie, while a friend gets in on the picture!

Marie Collings poses with her grandson, Patrick Broman.

Elaine Benton, teacher, sits with her students in the big gallery at Chemung Valley History Museum for some Native American folklore, history, drumming and chanting. See the video below for a sample of the program.

Owl Woman gestures toward the sky as she relates a fable explaining how the the stars were formed with the help of some of the creatures of our planet. As Joan explained to her attentive audience, fables always involve animals with human characteristics and always contain a moral to the story. The concepts of good and evil are usually represented with no chance of confusing the two. In fables, good most always wins over evil. In this particular myth, the cast of characters includes a badger, an eagle, a buzzard, a sparrow and a woodpecker trying to solve a hunger crisis. There is not enough food for all the creatures of the forest to eat, so the animals form a committee to brainstorm solutions. It is decided that the reason for the food shortage is that it is too dark for the plants to grow. The badger decided they must enlist someone to poke holes in the sky to let more light in for the plants. The badger is a creature with lots of good ideas. The eagle, being a big strong and proud bird volunteers to try flying up to the top of the sky to perforate the membrane separating our world from the light. However, the eagle is just too big to endure the ascension. He returns, tired, defeated and humbled. Many more take up the challenge, but will any of them be able to accomplish this seemingly impossible task? Will they eat or starve?

This is just one of many tales Joan has to tell with lessons to be learned about working together, brainstorming, humility and appreciating the complexity and fragility of the planet.

TANGLEWOOD VISITS

2008-10-09T12:57:00.001-07:00

TANGLEWOOD VISITS!

The past two weeks CRSP schools have visited the Tanglewood Nature Center or the TNC has visited the schools for a follow-up to the Riverwalks and to introduce the students to creatures - some of them rescued from disasters - who live at Tanglewood. I visited Hendy Avenue Elementary School today and observed Tanglewood naturalists, Ian McLaughlin and Monika Wood present a most informative and fascinating presentation to thoroughly engaged students and staff. The Hendy teachers who were present contributed much to the program in the form of observations, facts and very pertinent questions. The topics included the food web and habits and life cycle especially of the live creatures on the premises. Vocabulary words included herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, aquatic, terrestrial, nocturnal, reptile and amphibian.

In the photo above, Monika and Ian at the head of the class challenge the students to name some animals that are carnivores. When the students exhaust their memories, Ian provides some very demonstrative clues to assist the students in naming at least one more. The hands of many students shoot up as they were eager to answer "bear!" Some children could hardly remain in their seats!

The students were already enthused about the presentation, but it only got better as the mysterious boxes in the front of the class opened up to reveal a menagerie of creatures.

First, Monika presented a box turtle. She provided many facts about the creature and then she asked the students to venture a guess as to whether or not the turtle is terrestrial or aquatic. One of the students thought "terrestrial" meant "from outer space." After explaining that aliens are "extra" terrestrial, Monika explained that the box turtle is terrestrial because it stays mostly on the land. It's dome-shaped shell is too heavy and is the wrong shape for swimming. Moreover, its feet lack webs, an adaptation with which aquatic turtles (which spend most their time in the water) come equipped.

Of course, to impress upon the students the difference, Monika next presented a real live painted turtle. Students could readily see how both turtles have adapted to different habitats. The painted turtle is lighter in weight, its shell is flatter and its feet are webbed. Another neat adaptation of this particular creature is the coloring of the shell. The top of the shell is dark to blend in with the color of the water as if a predator were to look down on the water. The bottom of the shell is light, like the sun or reflected light, to fool a would-be predator looking up at the turtle from the water beneath. See if you identify the box turtle from the painted turtle in the photos below!

Monika also showed the students a frog and a salamander, but the star of the show made her grand entrance last. "Sophie" the great-horned owl needed to be handled with even greater care than the previous creatures. Ian protected himself with thick leather gloves and put a leash around Sophie's ankle (gently) because Sophie is a large predator. As a hunter, she comes equipped with a beak and mouth as large as her eyes. With her mouth fully opened, she can swallow rodents whole! Her talons are very large - the largest of any owl.

Sophie is covered with feathers from head to toes. Ian explained that animals who are completely covered with fur or feathers do not migrate. We also learned that owls have very good hearing. Their ears are so sensitive, they can hear noises up to two miles away.

When Sophie eats (small foxes, skunks, squirrels and chipmunks), about 8 hours later, she produces what is called an "owl pellet." It is a ball of bone and hair that cannot be digested; thus, it is coughed up and spit out her mouth. By studying these pellets, scientists are able to discover a lot about owls.

Although there were many students in the class, Sophie did not "freak out" while perched on Ian's arm. She is much more used to people than most owls and, too, the students at Hendy School were very considerate and made no loud noises or sudden movements to frighten Sophie or any of her fellow creatures.

Meeting Ian and Monika and all the animals today provided students with indelible impressions and educational experiences that are likely to stick with them forever. Hendy School is to be congratulated for realizing that learning need not only come from text books. Sometimes experience is the very best tool of the very best teachers.

During the Tanglewood visits, the teachers were as attentive and engaged as the students, frequently providing observations, facts and excellent questions of their own! It was easy to see the way this presentation tied in with the school curriculum and satisfied a multitude of NY State Education standards.

RIVERWALKS - SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ARTS BY THE RIVER!

2008-10-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Emily Hofelich-Jack and Ian McLaughlin, educators from Tanglewood Nature Center, pose on site at the Chemung River for the September Riverwalk.

Emily is a Volunteer Coordinator/Educator with a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Analysis from Bowling Green State University and joined Tanglewood in April, 2006. Ian McLaughlin is a Naturalist/Educator with a B.A. University of Vermont in Environmental Studies. He loves working at Tanglewood because it’s a job that constantly stretches your boundaries. Ian joined Tanglewood in January, 2006.

Sue Smith-Heavenrich joined the Chemung River School Project this year as a poet and writer on nature and science. She replaces poet Michael Czarnecki, who worked with CRSP since its inception. Michael was a tough act to follow as he is not only an accomplished poet, but has worked extensively with the region's children. However, Sue has proven to be up to the task!

She is a multi-talented woman and has authored over 500 articles, essays and reviews for local, regional and national adult and children’s publications. Her poetry has been published in Runoff (an anthology), the 2004 and 2005 Women Artist’s Datebook, as well 13th Moon, The Moonlighter, Berkshire Magazine, Sing Out!, Once Upon a Time and the Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener. Her short stories have been aired on our local NPR station, WSKG. Additionally, she writes the science column for Ithaca Child and, as an independent journalist contributes features to Broader View Weekly. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Susquehanna Storytellers, and local writing groups. In 2007 she received the Cap Creal Journalism Award, and this fall she is a Knight Fellow for a 3-day environmental journalism "boot camp." She is currently researching the environmental aspects of gas drilling in the Marcellus and working on a young adult novel.

As a teacher, she has been working with young writers as well as adults in the classroom and in workshops outside the classroom for many years. She directed the "Teen Writing Workshop" in Candor, and for many years taught writing courses for mid-grade and teen homeschooling groups. Her workshops in schools range from fairy tales to nature and science writing to mystery writing workshops that include hands-on forensic labs.

On this bright September day, Gardner Road Elementary School students in the Horseheads Central School District were enjoying their first experience through the Chemung River School Project. According to Melanie Stetzer, fourth grade teacher at Gardner Road, The Chemung River School Project offers the "best" field trips in the region! Melanie is shown above taking photographs of her class as they explore the beautiful Chemung River.

With Emily and Ian, students learned about the flora and fauna of the river and surrounding meadows. Students captured amphibians, fish and insects for close examination and learned about the water cycle through Tanglewood educators. Through Sue, they learned how to use all their senses to perceive and write about their experiences. Descriptive writing requires careful concentration, but Sue was able, through colorful example, give them many tips for journal writing. In December, Sue will visit their classrooms to lead an introduction to writing poetry. Students will consult their journals and reflect on seasonal changes, among other things.

Between Sue and Tanglewood educators, many NY State Standards for Education in science, the arts and literary arts were addressed through their presentations, providing a fun and substantial educational experience for the students - one they will never forget. The Arnot Art Museum and participating schools are most fortunate to have school administrators, teachers and museum educators who bring such a rich range of experience, talent and education to the program!

CHEMUNG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Chemung Elementary School kids meet at the Wyncoop Creek behind their school rather than trekking up to Elmira to meet at the Chemung River.

One of the great things about CRSP is the involvement of parents who can accompany the students as chaperones. A father and son join forces below as they search for critters in the field.

4th grade teacher, Jeanne Gridley (below) always goes the extra mile for her students and has participated in the Chemung School River Project for several years.
An unexpected and most rare sighting on this expedition was the legendary "Wyncoop Chicken," previously thought to be extinct! Of course, this is a joke, but the chicken stole the show for a while as he was very friendly and curious.
Finally, our avian friend had to be rather unceremoniously escorted away from the crowd of students. I was standing by ready to put my camera on video should somebody have felt the need to carry the chicken off the premises. Fortunately, force was never needed as the chicken peacefully kept his distance for the remainder of the program.
Below, Sue Smith Heavenrich resumes her presentation and presents many of the same ideas she did for students by the river.
Whether they meet by the river or the Wyncoop Creek, Chemung River School students enjoy a richly educational and fun experience.