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On Tuesday, Sept. 30, 106 students headed to the SUNY Purchase College campus to tour the museum and heighten their excitement about art.
Nancy Kincaide, Kensico’s art teacher, noted that in September, the students entered the school sharing their love of art, which they cultivated at Virginia Road Elementary School. “What a great opportunity for us to open their world a bit more with a trip to an art museum,” said Kincaide.
“The students spend the day with the sole purpose of interacting with art. It’s a great way to start third-grade. I want them to be excited about art – which they already are – and be inspired by the work. They can see that it’s a vehicle for learning.” At the museum, the students divided into groups and were led by a museum docent through the Neuberger’s “When Modern was Contemporary” exhibit. Stopping at several paintings, the docents asked the students questions, including what they saw in the artwork, where they think it was created, and how it might have been made. At a Jackson Pollack painting, a docent showed the children that the splatter marks were made from a paint stirring stick and a turkey baster. Another docent told her group of students that a snake-like sculpture balanced on its base and that the serpent would swing back and forth, if touched. The children sat on the floor in front of each work of art, eagerly thrusting their hands in the air to ask or answer questions. Their eyes were wide as they learned what materials were used to create the artwork. “They have fun here every year,” Kincaide said. “After the trip, they become even more excited about art. It’s fun to see them so happy. I hope that they come to see more art and keep enjoying discussing it.” The following day, the students returned to school and entered the art room very eager to discuss what they saw at the Neuberger Museum. Many said that they want to soon visit the museum again with the parents.
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