See, Think, Do: Making Art at LaSalle Language Academy

It’s amazing to see what students at our partner schools are making as a result of their exposure to and engagement with the Shared Walls art exhibitions we have installed in 23 CPS schools for the 2019/2020 school year. We’ve had a lot of fun working with LaSalle Language Academy, from our communications with Principal Graves to the enthusiasm and camaraderie offered by Art Teacher, Chris Thomas, who in the pictures below, leads his 5th graders through a print making activity inspired by Jay Ryan’s art prints in their hallway.

This is what Mr. Thomas had to say about the activity he led:

“My 5th grade students prints were based off of the work and from their reactions to the work of Jay Ryan.  Students participated in a few gallery walks, watched a couple of related videos and had a few class discussions which revolved around the topic of the use of propaganda. Students were assigned to either go one of two routes.

Either create a propaganda poster supporting a cause or promoting a product similar to Jay Ryan’s work; or students could create a “show poster” for a real or fictitious band. We still have a few more weeks to work on them. We are going to add color to some of them and then students need to “document” or sign all of their prints. “

How cool is that?! The best part about our Shared Walls Program is that it’s all about supporting the schools at large, and the teachers and kids directly. We’re not going in to teach the lesson ourselves, we rely on Mr. Thomas’ expertise and report with the kids to engage them thoroughly in the art gallery, curriculum, and artist workshops we provide.

It’s that collaboration that makes our work all about the partnership that happens when we connect with amazing administrators and teachers like Principal Graves and Mr. Thomas.

Be sure to connect with us on Instagram to see our latest features, client projects, and community art programs.

Students at LaSalle Elementary Language Academy, in Chicago, make prints with teacher Chris Thomas.
All Photos by Abel Arciniega – IPMM Photographer / Tequila Creative Studio