OES Celebrates Freedom In Art

ORLEANS – Art by its nature is subjective, detached from rigid categorization or any concept of right or wrong. Caitlin Dailey felt that more of that freedom needed to be employed in her art classes at Orleans Elementary School.

Earlier this month, artwork of all shapes, sizes, colors and forms lined the halls of the elementary school as part of a school-wide art show, “A Deep Dive Into Art.” Students in kindergarten through fifth grade created projects in paper, clay and cardboard, while others employed recycled materials and 3D art. There were projects depicting playgrounds and some showcasing specific local details such as a sewer line. And most relevant to this reporter’s interest, one project included a model acai bowl restaurant.

The diversity showcased in the exhibit is in line with “Teaching of Artistic Behavior,” an art-based educational philosophy that encourages students to take more control over what they create and how. Dailey is in her second year of teaching art through this methodology.

“Sometimes the ambiguity, kids are a little bit nervous with it,” she said. “I’ve had kids say ‘I didn’t know what to create when I came in, but I started working and all these ideas came. I have so many ideas now.’ I think it’s tapping into that genuinely creative mindset.”

The “choice-based” program has helped students become more focused and engaged in art, Dailey said. By giving students more ownership over their projects, students connect more with their in-class work, she said.

“I feel like giving them more authority, they really step up to the plate,” she said. “They’re not just throwing things together like it’s free play.”

For OES Principal Elaine Pender, the art show, which was held for parents and visitors Feb. 27, also provided a fun window into how students look at the world around them.

“It’s really so advanced, what the kids are thinking,” she said.

Beyond improving student engagement, Dailey said the more open approach to art has helped curb instances of bad behavior in the classroom. The flexibility they’re given in art has also helped some students become more comfortable in more traditional class settings, she said.

“I’m lucky because I have art in this space and an accepting administration,” Dailey said.