Fourth Grade Art Show Draws From

Cultural And Marine Life

By Larissa Lytwyn

On the oppressively warm evening of June 8, Sandy Hook Elementary School fourth graders and their families cooled off by taking in the marine-inspired work, among other pieces, of the Fourth Grade Art Show.

“A lot of the pieces do seem to have an oceanic theme,” noted art teacher Leslie Gunn. “In addition, a lot of the work was influenced by Japanese culture.”

Ms Gunn noted that she has fostered a longtime appreciation of Asian art and culture.

One project, Gyotaku, was drawn from the practice of Japanese fishermen making ink prints from their catches.

“Of course, we didn’t use a real fish for our projects!” Ms Gunn said with a laugh. “We used a rubber fish instead.”

The students also practiced Japanese-inspired brushwork with calligraphy pens.

Other projects included the creation of ceramic animals, some of real-life creatures, others, utterly fanciful.

“I always try to incorporate what is being taught in students’ classes,” said Ms Gunn. “The students were studying biology and learning about different animals and their environments. So, [in art] they had the chance to make any animal they wanted, integrating the environment in which they lived. They also had the choice to make up their own animal, including its would-be environment.”

Most of the animals ranged from reptiles and amphibians to birds and small mammals.

Another project was the coiled clay pots.

This was fourth grader Dominick Fedak’s favorite piece.

“It was difficult at times because you had to make sure the clay stayed in coils,” he said. “But I liked the way they came out.”

Accompanying Dominick was his older brother, Reed Intermediate School sixth grader Joseph, and his mother, Cara.

“I really am impressed by the quality of the work I’ve seen here tonight,” Ms Fedak noted.

Dominick said he was proud to be able to show his work to his family. He also enjoyed pointing out some of his friends’ work, as well.

First grader Bailey Smith said she had come to see the work of her big sister, fourth grader Taylor.

“I really like everything I have seen,” said Bailey. “I like all the animal [projects].”

Ms Gunn said that featuring a special art show for the school’s oldest grade level was a longstanding tradition.

“It used to be the fifth grade, but with the construction of Reed Intermediate School, it is now the fourth grade,” she said. “This is our second annual fourth grade show.”

She remarked on how much she enjoyed working with the fourth grade students.

“There is a large effort by students to help each other,” she said. “There is a real sense of working together here, which I really enjoy.”

This harmony was not only evident in the individual works, but also in the large paintings of animals made by entire classes.

“Everyone did a great job,” Ms Gunn said.