ART with MEYERS: Dale Chihuly Grant Project and Field Trip to the New York Botanical Gardens

Friday, October 13, 2017

Dale Chihuly Grant Project and Field Trip to the New York Botanical Gardens

In our quest to educate community members on our school's single stream recycling practices, we are currently working on a cross-curricular grant project that involves honoring pioneer glass artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly's work was recently on exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens, where we were fortunate enough to visit. The process of this project continues as we plan to create our own Chihuly-inspired works using recycled plastic and pigment, while the Materials Processing students are making new recycling bins for the newly designated recycling centers that we plan to place around the school.

The Power of Art Education

All children, not only those with specific artistic talent, benefit from an education in the arts. The arts are, in themselves, a vital part of a comprehensive education. Current research suggests that young people who participate in the arts acquire skills that help them in decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. The arts also help motivate children to learn and achieve stronger results in core academic subjects. For some children, the arts even provide the impetus to stay in school and find their way to contribute to society. Creative thinking and art education challenge students to utilize the right-hemisphere of the brain more often, resulting in more holistic thinking and intuitive learning.