Yo Lim
otta
Hav
Temple Emanu-EI
nursery students
show off their
natural talents in
first exhibit.
JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER
Top: Michael, Robin and Sam Busker with
teacher Shellie Kurtis at the clay table.
Above: Bill, Lisa and Mitchell Barnett view
the work.
Right top: Reid Siegel points out some of
his work to his parents, Caryn and Ron.
Right bottom: Bob and Jim Cohen observe a
work of art.
indergartner Kevin Burnstein has
already decided that he wants to be
an artist when he grows up, but he
isn't sure what kind of medium he
wants to work in.
"I like drawing and coloring
stuff in. I like to paint stuff, too,"
he said in the hours before his
first showing. "I really like clay.
But if you ask me, I don't have
a favorite yet."
Kevin and his classmates at
Temple Emanu-El's nursery
school held the first "Young
Masters' Art Exhibit" last
week, culminating a year of art study.
Aside from showing off their color-
"I think it meant more to the kids
to pick out their own works rather
than having us do it for them," said
Adrienne Gersten, the nursery school's
head teacher.
The art, hundreds of pieces in total,
was hung from nearly every available
space in the building, on classroom walls,
ful works of art, the display also had on doors, in the social hall and on tables.
another purpose. Michaelyn Silver- Freestanding papier-mache farm ani-
man, co-director of the nursery school, mals filled one room while similar sculp-
hoped the children would gain a mea- tures covered more floor space.
sure of self-respect.
"Aside from the children being able
"We wanted the children to learn to see how they have progressed
the lesson that we value you as an through the year, they also learned
artist and as a person," Ms. Silverman that we value their creativity," Ms. Sil-
said. 'We wanted to validate what they verman said.
do."
And the children were very excited.
Prior to the art showing, the children Liat Lis, also a kindergartner, count-
were taken aside in the past few weeks ed down the days before she could
and shown their portfolio of artwork bring her parents through the exhibit
made during the school year. Each stu- to see her favorite painting, a bright
dent was asked to pick five to seven picture of a snowstorm.
pieces which were then mounted on
"Can you believe it?" she asked. "It's
black construction paper for display.
tonight already." ❑
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