MLO worked with several 5th grade classrooms to implement a multi-pronged project in partnership with Baldwin Hills Elementary School to explore the work of black artists across different eras and art forms. Students studied the work of black poets, musicians, playwrights, dancers and other performers during the Harlem Renaissance and during the Black Arts Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. They then painted pictures as part of an art competition of a figure from one of those pivotal artistic eras and four winners received a $25 prize! Students also engaged with MLO’s own award-winning author Adrienne Lombard who held a book reading of her children’s book entitled Chelsey Chip For President as part of the ongoing project to expose the students to young artists. They thoroughly enjoyed the story about Chelsey’s quest to become 5th grade class president. Students participated is a lively discussion about their personal take-aways from the book and asked about Ms. Lombard’s writing process. Autographed copies of the book were left for the students.
Both the painting and book reading activities sparked the imagination of the students and gave them a way to express their creativity and demonstrate their amazing artistic abilities! There is nothing more important than planting the seed of pride and possibility in young people who get inspired by seeing people who look like them make great contributions to our culture and society.
