Our Student-Partnered Artist Residency K-12 (SPARK) is all about connecting students with local artists and working collaboratively to build big installation artworks that are enjoyed not only by the students participating, but the entire school community. SPARK brings art expertise into classrooms, partnering local artists with teachers to create custom projects that align with various subjects. Students engage in collaborative art projects that foster creativity, personal perspectives, and relationship-building skills.
The program involves students in the entire creative process, from ideation and concept development to art making, building, installation, and exhibition. It broadens their artistic experiences and cultivates strong classroom relationships that create lasting memories. Each project is formatted for a four-week residency to help students develop new art skills and put them into practice with the realization of final installations. Enrich your curriculum and inspire your students with SPARK, where creativity meets education!
SPARK Program at Miller Elementary 2023
Collaborative Garden Mural
In this residency, students learned about illustration from Lulu Yueming Qu and were inspired by their school garden. Lulu led them through a series of skill-building practices that strengthened their drawing skills and confidence. Students created illustrated depictions of fruits and vegetables from the real plants they were growing in the garden. On the final day, students installed the artwork in the garden in a collaborative composition that beautified the garden space.
The PomPom Project
For The PomPom Project, students worked with fiber artist Katie Ruiz and learned about craftivism and the art of making pom poms. After reading Katie’s book Brian the Wildflower, students learned how to make pom poms and set to work making hundreds of them in order to create a large-scale installation in their playground space. Students designed the shape of the installation, deciding on a rainbow heart to symbolize kindness, creativity, and their love for artwork. The pom pom heart was installed in the playground but could be seen throughout the community, which gave students a powerful experience with public art.
Block Printmaking
For four weeks, students worked with Katy Yeaw to learn about printmaking. Students made unique printing blocks and used these blocks to create printed flags. Once the flags were dry, students installed the flags along the fence in the playground area, bringing in color and movement. Students learned new skills in drawing, fiber arts, printmaking, and art installation. Through working with the artists and with each other on the projects, they also learned a lot about creative resiliency, collaboration, and the transformative power of public art.
Inquire about an ArtReach SPARK Program
Contact: Sierra Aguilar, Education Resource Manager at sierra@artreachsandiego.org