Curiosity on Display

Curiosity drives the Eighth Grade Arco competition, the major spring project in humanities class in which our boys are challenged to create a piece of work in the spirit of a famous modern artist. The boys visit museums and review art books to select an artist whose work speaks to them, piquing their curiosity to learn more about the artist's life and art.

Their creations are personal interpretations that incorporate each boy's unique vision and perspective. The boys also write a biography of the artist and reflect on the process they used to create their work.

Last week, they presented their artwork and the rationale behind it to a panel of judges during the day and to their parents in the evening. Some of the featured artists this year included Walker Evans, Salvador Dali, Jasper Johns, Keith Haring, and LeRoy Neiman.

The boys impressed us with their artistry, knowledge of their chosen artist, and their analysis of their own art-making process. This project, conducted under the guidance of their teacher and art historian Nancy Iannicelli, is a favorite of mine, as it showcases not only the boys' art history knowledge, but how they have learned to question and analyze so eloquently.

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