Rivera Exhibit Inspires Creative Writing From 6th Graders At Chester Elementary in Chester, CT

Barbara Murray-Lane of the Chester Elementary School PTO coordinated an ExhibitShare program for Chester and neighboring school Essex Elementary this past 08-09 school year . The art teacher of Chester had collaborated with the other teachers and made the exhibits a school wide learning experience. Barbara's son is a 6th grader at Chester Elementary. He brought home a creative writing piece that he had done in English, after his Diego Rivera exhibit experience. Besides learning about Diego Rivera's life he was also taught the history behind the people featured in the mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park. Barbara was so awestruck by her son's writing she followed up with his teacher to see if she would mind sharing more of Rivera's inspired writings from his classmates to share on the Inspiration Avenue blog and she was happy to oblige. So, with that being said, here is one of the writings that Barbara has passed along for me to share with you.
I am the man on crutches. You may call me Commander Suarez. The medals on my shirt symbolize my bravery during a time of war. Those medals make me proud, but these crutches represent the pain and suffering that I went through to get them. My face explains what it felt like, to be severely wounded, to have one more brush with death. It's like it breaks you, puts you back together but misses a piece, every time, until it's unbearable.
Throughout the wars, I have gained medals, but I have lost friends. So many have perished. Their faces will forever stay in my mind, haunting my dreams and making the pain that much worse. Their cries of agony, they still echo in my ears. It will scar my face forever, a permanent sadness. Their passing makes each of these medals just another object. Those who died deserve an honorary medal that shows their courage and bravery, giving their lives to save another. They deserve to be rich beyond their wildest dreams. But they won't be. They have left us and are gone forever. They won't get the things they deserve.
They are not the only ones that I have lost. A criminal killed my family. After that, I have never been truly happy. I am a lonely old man who has no one to turn to in times of need or sickness. A sad expression is permanent on my face. It will never go away. It is what tells my story. The sad story of this old man's life.
Barbara, Thanks for sharing

Salvador Dali Traveling Exhibit Makes Our Local Paper

This short article is in a southeastern Michigan newspaper featuring Brewster Elementary, a school near Teacher's Discovery that's been hosting Traveling Exhibits for the last three years. The exhibits have been sponsored by a parent-led Art Smart organization. Maria Romero of Art Smart visits each classroom at Brewster introducing the artist, artwork, and their background information before the exhibit's arrival. Grade level appropriate content of course. Maria was kind enough to extend an invitation for me to listen in on one of her Salvador Dali presentations to a second grade class. How lucky am I!! Getting a first hand glimpse into the classroom and being able to see how captivated the children are by the artwork and artist background is truly inspiring. It's why we do what we do.

Teacher's Choice Award Winning Vincent van Gogh Traveling Exhibit Visits Kaukauna, WI and Leaves a Post - Impression

As you know I love to use this blog as a venue for you to inspire your peers. So, with that being said, here's Elementary Art Teacher Vicky Siegel .... Hi Lisa- The week with the
van Gogh Traveling Exhibit was a big hit! Only 2 more classes to go and I change my room back to normal! Each class saw the exhibit during their art time, and then there was a parent night on Thurs. It was a big success! I had the students complete a "scavenger hunt" after I talked a little about the exhibit. I added to the show by having 6 large stand up bulletin boards around the room with the info. you sent along with a ton I had found. Students were so insightful! We talked about how van Gogh lost 10 teeth due to his buying paint and not food and not being healthy, and also about how he never smiled in his self-portraits. One first grader added, 'That's probably why he never smiled! Because he was missing his teeth!" All the students were surprised that the "Red Vineyard at Arles" was his only painting that he had sold. Now next week, all students will start a van Gogh project. First graders are painting sunflowers, second graders are creating a "mini-masterpiece" ( a small drawing of a van Gogh painting on a popsicle stick easel), third graders are making a clay "Starry Night", and 4th graders are making a new bedroom with the bed being a yarn weaving! All the students signed their name to a large birthday card, since van Gogh's birthday is on March 30th.
The Mike Venezia "van Gogh" book was a perfect fit to read to all of the classes, too. Thanks for this opportunity. I can't wait to schedule a new exhibit for next school year!! Sincerely. Vicky Siegel.

Our New ExhibitShare

Hi there, Lisa Your Traveling Exhibits Coordinator here asking you to check out our new exhibitshare program. Those of you who have hosted Traveling Exhibits knows how easy the exhibits are to install and display. If you aren't familiar with how easy Traveling Exhibits are to work with, watch this short installation video below and you'll see just how doable this can be.
I can customize your exhibitshare program for as many weeks as you'd like. I'll ship the exhibit to the first school in your lineup and schedule the FedEx pick up from the last. This is a great way to keep the costs down and an opportunity to share resources. Please keep in mind that I've got a lot of great information available such as power point presentations, digital catalogs, handouts and press coverage from around the country to send you to present an exhibit presentation for district meetings or local business owners. What do you think? Any questions send me an email @ exhibits@teachersdiscovery.com

It's So Easy Installation Video

Q. How do you hang a Teacher's Discovery Traveling Exhibit?
A. Watch this short video sent to us by art teacher Jennifer Love-Gironda of Wintergreen Primary School in Greenville, NC. While hosting our Gorgeous Henri Rousseau exhibit Jennifer had taken the time to make this step by step installation video and has done a terrific job of showing us all how easy it is to install an exhibit.
Thanks Jennifer!

The Civil War Exhibit Inspired Many at the Tipton County Public Library

Tipton County Public Library in Tipton, IN hosted our Civil War Traveling Exhibit the week of May 11 - 15th.
Librarian Kendra Hummel has gifted awe and inspiration to many patrons and students with our stunning exhibit which features photographs from this very important period of our American History . TCPL's activities while hosting the exhibit included reenactments, soldier's in uniform, field gear, ball gowns and book displays. TCPL invited in over 200 5th and 8th graders from local schools to take part in the libraries many activities.
See how fun learning about American History can be? Way to go Kendra!