SchoolArts - March 2008

THE DESK PROJECT Vera Ryersbach and Frank Spina

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SchoolArts March 2008 41

exhibition catalog.

A local gallery offered exhibition space and an art opening was held. Despite bad weather, families seldom seen inside the school building attended this off-campus art opening along with grandparents and siblings. Local school board members also attended.

The Desk Project took place over a three-month period. The various aspects of the work—research, writing, painting, and a written reflection, along with the grand finale of an art opening—kept students engaged over this extended period of time.

Student work exceeded our expectations. Students took great pride in their work, asking for feedback, giving each other ideas, and reveling in each others’ work. To this day they not only remember information about their artists, but also the feeling of working diligently, and the satisfaction of doing their best work. The authentic nature of this project was the basis of the high level of engagement. Painting on old wooden classroom desks after researching the art and artist made this an intense and exciting experience. As a final reward, students were given the desks to keep!

Vera Ryersbach is an art teacher at Robinson Elementary School in Starksboro, Vermont. vryersbach@mtabe.k12.vt.us. Frank Spina is a grade 5 & 6 classroom teacher at the same school.