The Color of Us – Lakeview Art Show

December 3rd, 2021 /
Shauna Sprunger /
Elementary School, Lakeview, News, Schools

Art class at Lakeview Elementary has been a creative celebration of differences and similarities. Art teacher, Elicia Gray has been teaching students all about diversity through self-portraits. Students created two different self-portraits‑one cartoon portrait that represents what they look like on the outside and one other wacky portrait that represents another aspect of their personality. During class, they discussed skin tones and how to love and appreciate people of all colors and came to see that what a person looks like on the outside is only one part of who they are.

Kindergarteners drew themselves as robots. They learned about the color wheel and then blended colors with crayons for added interest. They also composed artist statements that helped others understand their ideas.
First graders drew themselves and built their own frames out of model magic clay. They then reduced the size of each portrait to about two inches so they could create a tiny little art gallery. They talked about the Tiny Art Shows that have been happening all over Provo.
Second Graders created monochromatic self-portraits by drawing portraits of themselves and then practiced making tints and shades of one hue to make an unusual representation. They drew items around their face that also embodied the monochromatic color.
Third Graders created art based on the idea “What Masks do YOU wear?” Third graders thought about personal attributes and made masks to represent what they look like or feel like.
Fourth Graders took a quiz to find out which animal best represented their personality. They used those characteristics to make a self-portrait with animal features.
Fifth graders used paper-mâché and model magic clay to create sculptural masks that represent them personally. Some of the masks represent the outward appearance of a student, and some represent different feelings or personality traits.
Sixth graders used model magic clay to create hand puppets. These puppets represent them in some way. Some mimic their own outward appearance, and some represent a hidden aspect of their personality.

After all the artwork was complete, Lakeview held an art show to display all the creative works. The art show was judged by independent artists and five students in each grade were awarded honors. On the evening of the art show parents, grandparents, and students were all in attendance. All who attended could take a picture of themselves in a famous portrait. There were art stations set up for students to draw portraits and stations for anyone to create a mini self-portrait.

At the end of the show, several hundred pieces of artwork were sent up to the State Office of Education to be displayed during important arts-related meetings there. Lakeview is grateful for all the support and turnout they received from their community at this very successful event.