February 3, 2011

Dozens of Lincoln Elementary School students in grades 2 and 3 and their families - moms, dads, grandparents - got together tonight, learned about French impressionist artist Claude Monet and created their own piece of impressionism art.

"I want our parents to understand that we study these artists in art class and students of every age are learning these concepts," said teacher Adrienne Hall. "We don't just give them a box of crayons and let them color."

This was the second Art Night at Lincoln. The first night was held two months ago for kindergarten and grade 1 students. The final Art Night is set for April for students in grades 4 and 5.

Hall displayed information about Monet (1840-1926) and his style of impressionism and discussed the artist and his work with the students and families before they began to create their own works. His work was known for its fragmented, rough brush strokes and use of small dabs of different-colored paint side by side on their canvasses. Unlike other artists at the time, impressionist painters worked almost entirely outdoors and incorporated nature and sunlight into their work.

Susan Fitting, director of fine arts at Scotia-Glenville, said all classes in the district's art program incorporate history, art appreciation, style and other skills into their instruction.

Hall said her classes reenforce the same vocabulary and coordinates other items and lessons that are being used in the students' regular classroom.

Below are some pictures from Lincoln's Art Night: