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Emergency Exhibition:
New Training for Future Artists
and Art Lovers
Emergency Exhibition: New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers brings together artwork by students aged Pre-K to 5th grade from Children’s Museum of the Arts’ three Emergency Arts Education Fund partner organizations across New York City: 1) Hudson Guild in Chelsea, Manhattan; 2) P396K Sid Miller Academy in Crown Heights, Brooklyn; and 3) Children’s Workshop School in East Village, Manhattan.
Although these three organizations are separated by geography, they have one thing in common — they have all lost arts funding as a result of citywide budget cuts. The works in this exhibition demonstrate the breadth of the experimental arts curriculum crafted and implemented by each of CMA’s Artists in Residence: Maria D. Rapicavoli at Hudson Guild; Niousha Kiarashi at P396K Sid Miller Academy, and Noormah Jamal at Children’s Workshop School. These three approaches vary in style, but are united in their goal to provide deeply ambitious free arts education to students who need it most.
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The exhibition borrows its title from Mark Rothko’s 1934 essay New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers, which encourages artists to approach their craft from the perspective of a child. For Rothko, the function of the instructor is to inspire confidence rather than impose overbearing guidelines. In this spirit, Emergency Exhibition: New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers affirms the diversity of student learning profiles through a year of inclusive art instruction and joyful co-creation.
Hudson Guild
Chelsea, Manhattan
Paris, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Paper Collage
Materials: colored construction paper
"Inspired by street artists Alber, Phillip Sauders, and Paola Tacchini’s embroidery, students learned how to create value with color combinations. Willow made her self-portrait by cutting and combining small pieces of colored construction paper."
Materials: colored construction paper
"Inspired by street artists Alber, Phillip Sauders, and Paola Tacchini’s embroidery, students learned how to create value with color combinations. Willow made her self-portrait by cutting and combining small pieces of colored construction paper."
Alyssa, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Monochromatic Self Portraits
Materials: acrylic paint
"Focusing on Picasso's Blue Period, students explored monochromatic colors and how to express their feelings through art. I encouraged the kids to think of a time when they were sad and transfer those emotions into their painting. Because Picasso often used the color blue to express sadness, Alyssa felt inspired to make this terrific self-portrait."
Materials: acrylic paint
"Focusing on Picasso's Blue Period, students explored monochromatic colors and how to express their feelings through art. I encouraged the kids to think of a time when they were sad and transfer those emotions into their painting. Because Picasso often used the color blue to express sadness, Alyssa felt inspired to make this terrific self-portrait."
Dmari, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Frottage Collage
Materials: paper, crayons, found flat objects, scissors, glue
"Students were introduced to Max Ernst and the art of frottage. They experimented with the frottage technique, which consisted of placing a sheet of paper on top of a flat object and gently rubbing the paper with a pencil or crayon to pick up the texture of the object. Students were fascinated by the surrealist nature of Ernst's work because they found it absurd and new. Dmari found great inspiration in Ernst's drawing 'The Fugitive' and depicted a fictional animal that was a mix of a wolf, a porcupine, and an eagle."
Materials: paper, crayons, found flat objects, scissors, glue
"Students were introduced to Max Ernst and the art of frottage. They experimented with the frottage technique, which consisted of placing a sheet of paper on top of a flat object and gently rubbing the paper with a pencil or crayon to pick up the texture of the object. Students were fascinated by the surrealist nature of Ernst's work because they found it absurd and new. Dmari found great inspiration in Ernst's drawing 'The Fugitive' and depicted a fictional animal that was a mix of a wolf, a porcupine, and an eagle."
Delvis, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Graffiti and Street Art
Materials: oil pastels
"During this lesson, students were introduced to the art of fellow New Yorker Jean-Michel Basquiat. We discussed how art allows us to express our personal feelings and ideas and to 'say out loud' things we don't like or want to change. For this assignment, students took a cue from graffiti and street art to draw their names or initials using oil pastels. Kids loved working with oil pastels because they are softer than crayons, can be blended, layered, and mixed, and are very bright."
Materials: oil pastels
"During this lesson, students were introduced to the art of fellow New Yorker Jean-Michel Basquiat. We discussed how art allows us to express our personal feelings and ideas and to 'say out loud' things we don't like or want to change. For this assignment, students took a cue from graffiti and street art to draw their names or initials using oil pastels. Kids loved working with oil pastels because they are softer than crayons, can be blended, layered, and mixed, and are very bright."
Gia, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Mosaic Tiles
Materials: mosaic tiles, glue, paper, cardboard, grout
"This lesson introduced students to the mosaic technique and how it has been employed throughout art history. In the initial phase, they drew inspiration from the paintings of Alma Thomas and Sam Gilliam's 'From a Model to a Rainbow' mosaic in Washington, DC, as well as ancient Roman mosaics in my hometown of Catania, Sicily. During the first part of the assignment, students drew geometric shapes and figures on white paper. Afterwards, I provided them with small colored tiles and glue and asked them to fill in their drawing using the tiles. The final step of the project consisted in adding grouting.
This step-by-step process demanded both time and patience, but students were extremely satisfied with making a work that is more permanent and durable than a drawing. They used grout to fill in the gaps between the small tiles, which gave them a chance to experiment with new materials, work on their composition skills, and improve their attention to detail."
Materials: mosaic tiles, glue, paper, cardboard, grout
"This lesson introduced students to the mosaic technique and how it has been employed throughout art history. In the initial phase, they drew inspiration from the paintings of Alma Thomas and Sam Gilliam's 'From a Model to a Rainbow' mosaic in Washington, DC, as well as ancient Roman mosaics in my hometown of Catania, Sicily. During the first part of the assignment, students drew geometric shapes and figures on white paper. Afterwards, I provided them with small colored tiles and glue and asked them to fill in their drawing using the tiles. The final step of the project consisted in adding grouting.
This step-by-step process demanded both time and patience, but students were extremely satisfied with making a work that is more permanent and durable than a drawing. They used grout to fill in the gaps between the small tiles, which gave them a chance to experiment with new materials, work on their composition skills, and improve their attention to detail."
Valentine, 4th–5th Grade
Title: "Head With Crown"
Project: Paper Mache
Materials: magazine paper, glue, water, metal, wood
"Students were introduced to the ancient technique of paper mache. With the help of aluminum foil, they first created a rough shape for their project. Next, students used metal wire, wood, tape, and glue to build a defined structure for the wet paper to adhere to. The following day, they covered their structures with layers of newspaper strips dipped in a paste made of glue and water. They smoothed down the strips by overlapping them to ensure adequate coverage and structural strength. Once dry, students used acrylic paint to cover their structures and acrylic markers for fine detail.
Valentine ambitiously depicted a face with a crown using the paper mache technique. He remembered Basquiat’s signature crown from a lesson back in December and wanted to recreate it."
Project: Paper Mache
Materials: magazine paper, glue, water, metal, wood
"Students were introduced to the ancient technique of paper mache. With the help of aluminum foil, they first created a rough shape for their project. Next, students used metal wire, wood, tape, and glue to build a defined structure for the wet paper to adhere to. The following day, they covered their structures with layers of newspaper strips dipped in a paste made of glue and water. They smoothed down the strips by overlapping them to ensure adequate coverage and structural strength. Once dry, students used acrylic paint to cover their structures and acrylic markers for fine detail.
Valentine ambitiously depicted a face with a crown using the paper mache technique. He remembered Basquiat’s signature crown from a lesson back in December and wanted to recreate it."
Kiari, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Mobile Sculptures Inspired by Alexander Calder
Materials: cardboard, metal, glue, metallic paper, colored foam
"‘Drawing in the air’ was the title of my class inspired by Alexander Calder. After looking at Calder's abstract mobile sculptures, students experimented with balance, equilibrium, and lightness to create a mobile sculpture that moves with the wind. By cutting metallic paper, cardboard, and metal wire, they created their own works of kinetic art."
Materials: cardboard, metal, glue, metallic paper, colored foam
"‘Drawing in the air’ was the title of my class inspired by Alexander Calder. After looking at Calder's abstract mobile sculptures, students experimented with balance, equilibrium, and lightness to create a mobile sculpture that moves with the wind. By cutting metallic paper, cardboard, and metal wire, they created their own works of kinetic art."
Avery, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Inspired by Pipilotti Rist
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
"Following the class trip to Pipilotti Rist’s exhibition at Hauser and Wirth Gallery, students set out to create their own works inspired by the Swiss artist. During the gallery visit, students were captivated by the vibrant array of materials and colorful, diverse media. In response, students incorporated glitter and shiny paper into their artworks to capture the viewer’s eye. Avery, in particular, crafted impressive and strikingly realistic fruit stands."
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
"Following the class trip to Pipilotti Rist’s exhibition at Hauser and Wirth Gallery, students set out to create their own works inspired by the Swiss artist. During the gallery visit, students were captivated by the vibrant array of materials and colorful, diverse media. In response, students incorporated glitter and shiny paper into their artworks to capture the viewer’s eye. Avery, in particular, crafted impressive and strikingly realistic fruit stands."
Kairi, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Clay Sculpture
Materials: air dry clay, acrylic paint
"Students created air-dry clay pottery using hand-building techniques. They even kneaded their own clay using rolling pins! They started out by creating basic clay forms like pinch pots and slab-built vessels, then experimented with different techniques to add textures and patterns to their form. Afterwards, they learned how to join clay pieces securely using water as a slip. Kairi created a volcano and named it 'Mount Kairi' after himself. He then painted his sculpture using colorful acrylics."
Materials: air dry clay, acrylic paint
"Students created air-dry clay pottery using hand-building techniques. They even kneaded their own clay using rolling pins! They started out by creating basic clay forms like pinch pots and slab-built vessels, then experimented with different techniques to add textures and patterns to their form. Afterwards, they learned how to join clay pieces securely using water as a slip. Kairi created a volcano and named it 'Mount Kairi' after himself. He then painted his sculpture using colorful acrylics."
Kendon, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Inspired by Faith Ringgold
Materials: fabric, glue, acrylic markers
"This lesson was inspired by Faith Ringgold's captivating 'Street Story' quilt. I asked students to recreate the facades of their own buildings as viewed from the street. I gave them different colored pieces of fabric, along with glue and scissors, and encouraged them to unleash their creativity to the fullest extent."
Materials: fabric, glue, acrylic markers
"This lesson was inspired by Faith Ringgold's captivating 'Street Story' quilt. I asked students to recreate the facades of their own buildings as viewed from the street. I gave them different colored pieces of fabric, along with glue and scissors, and encouraged them to unleash their creativity to the fullest extent."
Elian, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Speed Self Portraits
Materials: charcoal, blending stump
"This is an example of a speed self-portrait with charcoal. Students explored tri-dimensionality by depicting human faces with curves and straight lines using charcoal and blending stumps."
Materials: charcoal, blending stump
"This is an example of a speed self-portrait with charcoal. Students explored tri-dimensionality by depicting human faces with curves and straight lines using charcoal and blending stumps."
Yesilee, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Inspired by Pipilotti Rist
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
Dmari, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Monochromatic Self Portraits
Materials: acrylic paint
Materials: acrylic paint
August, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Paper Mache
Materials: magazine paper, glue, water, metal, wood
Materials: magazine paper, glue, water, metal, wood
Yesilee, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Clay Sculpture
Materials: air dry clay, acrylic paint
Materials: air dry clay, acrylic paint
Yesilee, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Achromatic Colors Landscape
Materials: charcoal, pencils, graphite
Materials: charcoal, pencils, graphite
Yesilee, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Inspired by Pipilotti Rist
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
Materials: cardboard, acrylic paint, glue, metallic paint, various ready made materials
Serenity, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Perspective
Materials: pencil
Materials: pencil
Shannon, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Mobile Sculpture Inspired by Alexander Calder
Materials: cardboard, metal
Materials: cardboard, metal
Yesilee, 2nd–3rd Grade
Project: Graffiti and Street Art
Materials: pastels, crayons, acrylic markers, googly eyes
Materials: pastels, crayons, acrylic markers, googly eyes
Tylie, 4th–5th Grade
Project: What Do You Want to Get Rid Of?
Materials: pencil, acrylic paint
Materials: pencil, acrylic paint
Tylie, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Paper Collage
Materials: colored construction paper, glue
Materials: colored construction paper, glue
Serenity, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Faith Ringgold
Materials: fabric, glue, magazine paper
Materials: fabric, glue, magazine paper
Serenity, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Steffani Jemison
Materials: oil pastels
Materials: oil pastels
Quadis, 4th–5th Grade
Project: Dada Collage
Materials: old newspapers, magazines, glue
Materials: old newspapers, magazines, glue
Children's Workshop School
East Village, Manhattan
Soren, 5th Grade
Project: Tint and Shade
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Tints and shades are very important when learning color theory. Soren's main color selection was red, and he had the last five minutes of the assignment to select which section would have the contrast / highlighted color. I feel his composition and color selections are very clever."
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Tints and shades are very important when learning color theory. Soren's main color selection was red, and he had the last five minutes of the assignment to select which section would have the contrast / highlighted color. I feel his composition and color selections are very clever."
Odin, 5th Grade
Project: Cubist Self Portraits
Materials: oil pastels
"This was their first introduction to oil pastels. Students took inspiration from Picasso's cubist portraits to make one of their own. Odin did a brilliant job of experimenting with form in his portrait. He was focused on corners and angles."
Materials: oil pastels
"This was their first introduction to oil pastels. Students took inspiration from Picasso's cubist portraits to make one of their own. Odin did a brilliant job of experimenting with form in his portrait. He was focused on corners and angles."
Angel, 5th Grade
Project: Cubist Self Portraits
Materials: oil pastels
"Angel's portrait has great likeness to his own appearance. He does an excellent job of blending and using the oil pastels. He loves the opaque nature of pastels vs. crayons, a medium that he's very used to using."
Materials: oil pastels
"Angel's portrait has great likeness to his own appearance. He does an excellent job of blending and using the oil pastels. He loves the opaque nature of pastels vs. crayons, a medium that he's very used to using."
Lucy, 5th Grade
Project: Fall Foliage Watercolors
Materials: watercolors
"This assignment was the students' first introduction to watercolor and wet on wet technique. Lucy exhibited great control over the medium and took inspiration from old stained glass paintings while making her fall leaves."
Materials: watercolors
"This assignment was the students' first introduction to watercolor and wet on wet technique. Lucy exhibited great control over the medium and took inspiration from old stained glass paintings while making her fall leaves."
Alina, 5th Grade
Project: Stick Figure Sculptures
Materials: styrofoam ball, popsicle stick, glue, foam sheets, staple pins, markers
"Alina's work for this project inspired half her classmates! Her ability to make the most of the materials provided in astounding. She was very much aware of every angle when making a 3D work."
Materials: styrofoam ball, popsicle stick, glue, foam sheets, staple pins, markers
"Alina's work for this project inspired half her classmates! Her ability to make the most of the materials provided in astounding. She was very much aware of every angle when making a 3D work."
Siqima, 5th Grade
Project: Fruit Pointillism
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Siqima is a true artist. He has the innate ability to pick up any new medium and excels at it instantly. He also has a very observant eye. He is always aware of shadows and highlights and excels at the use of color."
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Siqima is a true artist. He has the innate ability to pick up any new medium and excels at it instantly. He also has a very observant eye. He is always aware of shadows and highlights and excels at the use of color."
Vivian, 5th Grade
Title: Strawberry of Artistic Imagination
Project: Fruit Pointillism
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"This work shows the level of precision and patience of the young artist — a single strawberry, incredibly well composed, with a blue contrast border around it. Vivian was very consistent with her skill and technique."
Project: Fruit Pointillism
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"This work shows the level of precision and patience of the young artist — a single strawberry, incredibly well composed, with a blue contrast border around it. Vivian was very consistent with her skill and technique."
Linus, 5th Grade
Title: Strawberry of Artistic Imagination
Project: Fruit Pointillism
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Linus used q-tips and sponges to blend and achieve the final outcome. Composition for incredibly important for him. 'Fruit bowls are pretty big in old paintings,' he said."
Project: Fruit Pointillism
Materials: tempera paint, q-tips, sponges
"Linus used q-tips and sponges to blend and achieve the final outcome. Composition for incredibly important for him. 'Fruit bowls are pretty big in old paintings,' he said."
Jeicob, 5th Grade
Title: Ragnar's Journey
Project: Collage
Materials: collage
"Jeicob's approach and focus was centered on narrative building, which he achieved very well. Two scenes play out within the same frame, which he was very pleased with."
Project: Collage
Materials: collage
"Jeicob's approach and focus was centered on narrative building, which he achieved very well. Two scenes play out within the same frame, which he was very pleased with."
Bianca, 5th Grade
Title: Girl Eating an Apple
Project: Collage
Materials: collage
"For the collage assignment, students look at the works of Hannah Hoch and Pakistani artist Rashid Rana. Bianca was one of the few students who employed collage in a different way by making her own self portrait."
Project: Collage
Materials: collage
"For the collage assignment, students look at the works of Hannah Hoch and Pakistani artist Rashid Rana. Bianca was one of the few students who employed collage in a different way by making her own self portrait."
Veda, 5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Roy Lichtenstein
Materials: graphite, colored pencils and acrylic on paper
Materials: graphite, colored pencils and acrylic on paper
Valentino, 5th Grade
Project: Drawing with Charcoal
Materials: charcoal on paper
Materials: charcoal on paper
Shaila, 5th Grade
Project: Mixed Composition from Books
Materials: colored pencils
Materials: colored pencils
Savita, 5th Grade
Project: Personal Movie Posters
Materials: watercolor on watercolor paper
Materials: watercolor on watercolor paper
Sage, 5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Kara Walker
Materials: pencil and black crayon
Materials: pencil and black crayon
Rafael, 5th Grade
Project: Introduction to Drawing
Materials: colored pencils on paper
Materials: colored pencils on paper
Pablo, 5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Kara Walker
Materials: graphite and black crayon on paper
Materials: graphite and black crayon on paper
Oni, 5th Grade
Project: Curious Creatures
Materials: oil pastels on paper
Materials: oil pastels on paper
Oakley, 5th Grade
Project: Collage
Materials: paper / magazine cut outs and glue on paper
Materials: paper / magazine cut outs and glue on paper
Micah, 5th Grade
Project: Tint and Shade
Materials: black, white, and blue tempera paint on watercolor paper
Materials: black, white, and blue tempera paint on watercolor paper
Mick, 5th Grade
Project: Personal Movie Posters
Materials: watercolor and oil pastel on watercolor paper
Materials: watercolor and oil pastel on watercolor paper
Mackenzie, 5th Grade
Project: Music & Abstract Art
Materials: crayons on paper
Materials: crayons on paper
Nicolette, 5th Grade
Project: Personal Movie Posters
Materials: graphite and watercolor on watercolor paper
Materials: graphite and watercolor on watercolor paper
Luna, 5th Grade
Project: Inspired by Kara Walker
Materials: graphite and black crayon
Materials: graphite and black crayon
Leah, 5th Grade
Project: Nick Cave Masks
Materials: buttons, glass, foam paper, feather on cardstock mask
Materials: buttons, glass, foam paper, feather on cardstock mask
P396K Sid Miller Academy
Crown Heights, Brooklyn