In-School Arts Residency – Past, Present, and Future! - United South End Settlements

When I Grow Up... — "I am a doctor and my friend is a nurse. My patient is sitting on the X-ray machine." - Aayana

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

How often do children hear those words? The Children’s Art Centre Studio Arts In-School Residency program's Hurley School first graders have some definite ideas about their futures, but also lots to share about themselves and how they got to where they are now.

As part of their literacy unit on Changes, first graders read about and discuss the changes they go through as they grow and get older. In art, they created triptychs - three paneled paintings - showing themselves as babies, as first graders and as adults.

Melissa's painting: as a baby sleeping with her doll, as a first grader picking apples and as an adult driving a taxi.

These works are full of wonderful stories and dreams for the future. Creating works like this allows students to demonstrate and articulate their growing awareness of themselves and the amazing ways they have grown. See below for some examples of student artwork and quotes.

To check out the full gallery of the students' work, click here.

Learn more about the CAC/Hurley School Arts In-School Residency here.

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