Students of the Arts Block Painting class had a special opportunity to get up-close and personal with Tom O’Neil and his artworks today as he welcomed the students to his home studio in Stockbridge. The students engaged in a dialogue with Mr. O’Neil about his process and about his finished and unfinished artworks. The group remarked that, after having worked with the concept of abstraction in class, they were able to relate to Mr. O’Neil’s work in a tangible way based on their experience with similar ideas and materials. Having the ability to step into a professional artist’s space helped to actualize the notion of what it means and what it looks like to make art for a living. Thank you, Mr. O’Neil!

Some Notes on Abstraction…

In abstraction, you pull out and push in the positives and negatives to create different grounds and spaces. – Mimi

One thing can always fold into another. – Beatrice

It’s important not to get caught up in one place in the painting. You have to move around it. – Elena

If you don’t like something (or if you like something), it’s okay to cover it up rather than try to work through the painting. – Doree

Don’t be afraid to mess up. – William

A Sampling of Student Works in Progress…

Last week the 5th and 6th Grade classes, along with Mr. Spitzer and Ms. Sicurella, spent the afternoon among large-scale contemporary art at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA. In conjunction with their current studies in the Drawing & Painting studio, students spent time with the work of Sol Lewitt, experiencing his early, mid-career, and recent works throughout three floors of the museum. Highlights of the trip included the immersive installations of Lee Boroson featured in his “Plastic Fantastic” exhibition. Among our favorites, Deep Current (2014), a kinetic sculpture/machine that produces a ‘waterfall’ of ping-pong balls. Eclipse (2014), a stunning video installation by artists Sayler/Morris with Elizabeth Kolbert also caught our attention. This projected image of a tree gaining and losing its leaves (in the form of birds) examines species extinction through the passenger pigeon, whose once-massive population disappeared 100 years ago.

We also had the opportunity to explore the Kidspace exhibition, It’s Only Human featuring the work of Nick Veasey and Marilene Oliver who both use state-of-the-art medical imaging technology and x-rays to explore humans from the inside-out. We ended our visit with a hands-on art-making activity related to themes of this show.

During the winter, we will have available on the Fitzpatrick stage, three exercise machines for all to use.  We currently have one rowing ergometer, and two nordic trak pieces.  They are facing  towards the window so you can look at calculations posted for correct workout intensity. The Upper School will be allowed to use them during recess time as long as they check in with the adult in the gym.  They may use music with ear buds.

ARE YOU STRONGER THAN A FIFTH GRADER?
Push ups:  7 to 15
Curl ups:  15 to 29
V Sit reach:  +1 inch to + 3 inches
One mile run:  9 to 11 minutes
We are a very fit class of fifth graders.  We challenge you to beat our average.

QUICK CORE EXERCISE!
Lift a basketball over your head or a two pound weight to strengthen your core!!!!! Hold for one minute!