Some Surreal Animals: Works by Third Grade Students from Avenues: The World School

Third grade students at Avenues: The World School recently completed a unit on surrealist artwork, including the discussion of several key artists and a trip to MoMA to see the work of René Magritte. As part of this exploration the students learned that the surrealists often combined very different images to create new, often dreamlike or unusual works. Using this method, the students drew two animals from observation and eventually created a new “combined animal” from an imagined environment. They then used the drawing as the basis for carving a styrofoam printing plate and made prints in a variety of colors, maintaining proper technique.

About the Student Art Project

The Child Mind Institute believes the arts are critical to child development and academic success. They promote self-esteem and provide opportunities for self-expression. Four times a year the Child Mind Institute invites public and independent schools to participate in our Student Art Project, a gallery program dedicated to displaying works of art created by student artists. We invite schools to prepare an exhibition for our gallery based on a theme chosen by their art teachers. Student pieces are displayed prominently and each exhibition launches with an opening reception for student artists, their families, and the entire school community, hosted by the Child Mind Institute.

If your child’s school would like to participate in a future gallery show, please contact Angela Gage, the CMI Student Art Project Curator, at 646.646.625 or angela.gage@childmind.org. Art teachers are also welcome to contact us on behalf of their students.