College of Education News

Fifty children and their 100 little hands painted, scribbled, wove, and collaborated on 30 masterpieces now donning the walls and tabletops at the College of Education. These projects and more are up for show at University Primary School's "Artistic Conversations," exhibition, Friday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m., which serves as a fundraiser for the school.

"This is an art exhibition to see what children are doing and what we value in the program," said Nancy Hertzog, UPS director. Just as important as the final product, she added, is the accompanying documentation alongside the pieces. "The goal was to capture how much children are thinking while they're creating."

From playground equipment to new classroom furniture, Hertzog said donations at the exhibit and accompanying pizza sales directly benefit the children.

"University Primary School is vital to us because it's a site that demonstrates our values and our science," said Mary Kalantzis, Dean of the College of Education. "The inventiveness and creativity that is fostered in those children is exactly what will help them succeed in the future."

After hosting a UPS childrens' visit to the College in Fall 2008, Kalantzis discussed recycling in her homeland of Australia. That theme permeates many of the projects, Herzog said, as some children constructed their artwork with wood, cloth, or plastic that would otherwise be tossed away.

While some of the artwork will remain on the walls of the College of Education and other pieces will return to their creators, one piece has a special destination.

"The weaving belongs to Dean Kalantzis," Herzog said of the collaborative piece crafted by pre-school, kindergarten and first-graders. "She can do whatever she wants with it. She's such an admirer of the kids' work, and they have an ongoing dialogue with her."

Kalantzis said she visits the school several times each year and always tries to bring along a gift from Australia. "Last time it was a boomerang, " Kalantzis laughed. "We have formed a strong relationship, and I think that's lovely. Those children and their artwork fill our building with such joy."