Worldview : Mexico Celebration at the Walters Art Museum

Sunday May 16th was our culminating event at the Walters Art Museum. We had a wonderful afternoon with an art exhibit of the students work with selections from all grades Pre- Kindergarten though eighth, refreshments from the lovely Arcos Mexican restaurant in Fells Point and a musical performance by students from Harlem Park Elementary Middle and John Eager Howard. Many families came and our students were thrilled to perform and see their work hanging in such a prestigious location. Many thanks to the wonderful Lindsay Anderson of the Walters and fellow Worldview founder Marnee Keith for helping to hang the show, and to the Walters for their kindness and generosity in hosting our event.

Project Blue Butterflies

Harlem Park Elementary/Middle is a Project BLUE (Baltimore Lessons in Urban Ecosystems) school. Project BLUE is an educational outreach program of the Parks & People Foundation that focuses on improving science and math skills, increasing environmental awareness and engaging youth in solving community issues and exposing them to nature and the ecosystem.

Project BLUE immerses students in the worlds of watersheds and ecosystems through engaging lessons and hands-on activities. During the program, students actively participate in experiences centered on how watersheds and ecosystems function and how they can become stewards for their environment.

 A recent Project BLUE activity at Harlem Park centered on the planting of milkweed to encourage Monarch butterflies to inhabit the school grounds. A Water Quality Community Arts Enrichment Workshop focused on the life cycle of the monarchs and the production of Mexican style tin ornaments depicting Monarch butterflies.

The Children's Bookstore Educational Foundation

Thanks to The Children's Bookstore Educational Foundation each student at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School has a book about Mexico to study in the classroom and take home to keep.

Lucha Libre Masks

Fifth grade students read about Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling before designing and sculpting their own Luchador masks.

Mata Ortiz Style Pottery

Students looked at the pottery of Juan Quezada and the artisans of town of Mata Ortiz and used the distinctive geometric and red, white and black designs as inspiration for their own pots.

Amate Bark Painting

Papel amate or bark paper is produced by hand in the state of Puebla by Otomi Indians using bark from fig or mulberry trees. Students looked at examples of Mexican bark painting before creating their own work in the style of amate bark painting.

Aztec Bracelets

Second grade students learned how Aztec people made red dye from cochineal insects. Students looked at Aztec symbols and jewelry before using mixed media to make their Aztec style bracelets.

Viva La Causa

Seventh grade students watched Viva La Causa, a documentary about Cesar Chavez and the struggle for farm workers rights. Students then examined the work of African American artist Elizabeth Catlett and the Mexican printmakers that she worked with. Students then created their own prints dealing with a social justice issue that the care about personally.

Coconut Masks

Fourth grade students looked at authentic coconut masks made by Mexican Nahua Indian families; half a coconut is used for the base, then seeds and corn and plants are used to add features and hair. Students used balloons as armatures and celluclay to make the features on their 'coconut' masks.

Prickly Pear cactus

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Pre-Kindergarten students looked at images of prickly pear cacti before using mixed media to make their pictures of prickly pear.

 

Self-portraits and Frida Kahlo

Students read about the life and work of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo before creating their own symbolic self portraits with animals.

Paper Weaving

Kindergarten students learned how dye can be made from insects, shellfish and plants. Students created paper weavings using red, purple and blue, the colors created from the substances discussed.    

Hola Portraits

Pre-Kindergarten students have been practicing their Spanish greetings. Students used crayons to draw their "Hola!" portraits.