On July 11th, 1938, an eight-year old boy by the name of Alfred Cohen celebrated a major accomplishment: 40 of his paintings were put on display in what became the first one-man exhibition of children’s art created in free art classes run by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. Describing his prized apprentice, Leon Bibel, an art teacher at the Bronx House, said, “He turns out three paintings a day, unless discouraged, and never is at a loss for a subject.”
74 years later, the Children’s Museum of the Arts is pleased to give Alfred another opportunity to exhibit his artworks; this time a set of linograph prints, also created at the Bronx House and also under the tutelage of art teacher, Leon Bibel.
The artworks are part of a larger exhibition titled Art Forms, which explores historical and contemporary modes of art education, as well as the ways in which students and teachers inspire each other.
Art Forms examines the relationship of the art educator and the young artist by showcasing three intertwined elements that reveal the lifeblood of CMA’s mission and philosophy: current children’s artwork created in CMA’s 2011-2012 public school partnerships, artwork by the Teaching Artists who educated the students, and antique children’s artwork from CMA’s Permanent Collection dating back to the 1930s.
CMA would like to acknowledge the following public schools participating in Art Forms: PS 347 American Sign Language and English Lower School; PS 124 The Yung Wing School; PS 130 The Hernando DeSoto School; PS 158 The Bayard Taylor School; PS 3 Charrette School; Kings Collegiate Charter School; The Renaissance Charter School; Immigrant Social Services at PS 130; Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School; PS 115 Daniel Mucatel School; PS 29 John Harrigan School; PS 243 The Weeksville School; PS 116 The Mary Lindley Murray School; The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, and MS 413 School of the Future.
Support for this show is generously provided in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council.
Thanks to Organic Valley, independent, farmer-owned and producing delicious organic products for your growing little artist since 1988. Visit Organic Valley online or in person at a CMA tasting event this summer.
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