All access pass to inspiration and
authentic art experiences. The Gibbes
Museum provides free field trips to Title One schools.
Heather Teems
Thus every child should have
an opportunity to have equal access to exposure with all kinds of inspiring art
in a beautiful, local, historical museum.
I am a teacher; an art teacher,
in two Title One schools. Through grants and donations, the Gibbes Museum of Art
has been able to provide my students and so many other students an equal
opportunity to tour the museum and create art while they are there, as well.
I cannot express with words
the gratitude I have for this opportunity. It’s a feeling.
When I first toured the newly
renovated museum in August, I was impressed and inspired. I was impressed by the
art, and the beauty of the architecture.
The knowledge and the energy of the museum educators and the joyful staff
inspired me, to start my school year with real life experiences for my
students.
Most of the children had
never been to an art museum; they had never had this kind of experiential view
of multiple art works.
They were awestruck
immediately by the textures in the architecture, the brass, the wood, and
marble, and of course, the giant freight elevator.
“We
could bring our parents to see the museum so they can experience pieces of history.” Addison Goss,
Grade 2.
“I would like to go to the Gibbes with my
grandma so she can see how the museum changed.” –Vienna, age 8
I did not grow up in South
Carolina, and I am relatively new to Charleston. The Museum educators did a
fabulous job summarizing the rich antiquity of Charleston through portraiture.
I learned many things
that I should have known already. That
being said, I believe this field trip helped the children truly have a deeper
understanding and respect for the degree of Charleston’s influence on South
Carolina’s history.
“I liked how the sweet
grass baskets were shaped by Mary Jackson. "Never Again" was huge and
beautiful.” Austin Koch, Grade 1
The temporary collection at
the Gibbes is something we should all be able to see. I did not want the
children to miss out on the Guggenheim collection on the third floor.
“My favorite part was the
miniature pictures on display.” Victoria Carabus, Grade 2
After the summarization of
the South Carolinian heirs, we switched gears to head upstairs and view the
objective and non- objective works of fabulous master artists such as, Picasso,
Kandinsky, and Chagall.
“My favorite piece of art was the one that had the man with two
faces, a parachute man, the Eiffel Tower, and the cat with the human face”. –JJ,
grade 3
Due to the offerings of modern technology, the students had a
chance to view the art works they would see at the Gibbes on the smart board in
the classroom, before they actually saw them. This provided much valuable
dialogue and excitement with the museum educators.
After our tour, the students were directed through a carefully
planned art activity inspired by the works and dialogue during the tour. The
students have coveted these pieces, as they were very proud of what they
created at the museum.
“My favorite part of the Gibbes field trip was making our own
artwork!”- Jolie, Age 8
Picnicking in the museum garden was another highlight of the
day.
“The painting I most remember is the girl with the blanket in
her hands by Jonathan Greene. She looked like she was going to a picnic.”
-August, age 8
I have tried to bring all of my students to the Gibbes this
year, because, I do not want to pass up an amazing opportunity for them.
So far, I have brought close to 400 students. I have loved every
second that I was able to accompany them
and they have loved it too. I am
grateful beyond words to the volunteers, the staff and the benefactors that
have made all of these field trips possible.
The children get excited, they tell friends, they bring family,
and they explore new ideas during art class from exposure to these real life
art experiences.
For this, I am happy. For this, I am thankful.
“I want to take my mom and dad to the Gibbes, because I want
them to see the paintings”.-Johanna ,age 6
