REVEALED
A one-of-a-kind project uncovering what lies beneath the surface in each of us.
I have always been amazed at the deep meaningful insights children have revealed and the energy they have added to this project. The youngest REVEALED subject is 13-years-old. The idea to have school children create a class art project based on REVEALED inspired me. In 2011 I created this project with a class of Rhode Island 5th graders and a Massachusetts class of 4th graders.
The children were very excited to have me visiting their class and to work on a new art project. We began the class with a verbal description of REVEALED and then I asked each child to share what they would put in their REVEALED box. The objects were things like baseballs, footballs, flying pigs and the occasional family photo. We then verbally and visually explored the project deeper. The class became very excited about all their ideas, questions and comments.
As the class time came to a close, I asked the question again, “What would they would put in their REVEALED box?” These insights shared included much deeper revelations. I’m sure the class could have been extended another hour with the conversations we were having.
They were given their own boxes in which they could decorate and fill with items that reveal their essence, who they are and what they believe in. A week later they returned to class with items from their everyday life and began creating their very own REVEALED boxes and writing short essays on 3×5 cards about the meaning of their box. The following week (or two) I returned and photographed them as REVEALED Class subjects.
One nice thing about this REVEALED Class project is the children can bring their artwork (box) home and of course they each receive a signed print of their portrait.
I look forward to this project expanding for the 2012 season.
The two schools that have participated are Paul Cuffee School and Friends Academy.
