Englewood — If it weren’t held in a school, you would never know that Kim Makowski’s Museum of Modern Art wasn’t a real exhibit.
Children wearing black berets passed around strawberries and apple cider champagne.
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Staff Photo by Joe Camporeale
Steven Covington, 6, a kindergarten student at Quarles Early Childhood Center, speaks to one of his older counterparts about the work of modern artist Mark Rothko.
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Adults gushed over artwork by famous artists Alberto Giacommetti, Chuck Close and Mark Rothko posted on the walls, each piece sparking a different reaction from the crowd.
The third annual "mini MOMA" art exhibit held at Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center June 5 was very "real" for kindergarten students who produced the replica artwork and for parents who said their children are better for it.
For the last three school years, teacher Makowski has taught her class of 5 and 6 year olds not only how to make art but what it means and where it came from.
Students study well-known modern artists and their work through reading about them and watching videos.
The students are then asked to pick one of 10 artists they like the most, learn about their life during the entire year and create a replica of the artist’s artwork.
The projects culminate at the end of the year when students present their work at the exhibit, telling visitors everything they need to know about the artist of their choice.
Makowski, a teacher for 11 years, said the innovative art program she developed fosters better literacy, public speaking and an appreciation for art and different cultures. Other studies — reading, writing, math and science — are incorporated into the project throughout the year, Makowski said.
"Parents are amazed that their babies produced this art and are able to speak about it. These children could have a deep conversation about these artists," Makowski said. "Their vocabulary has skyrocketed."
For five-year-old Justin Marone, talking to adults was the easy part.
"He lived in Switzerland," Marone first told an onlooker who asked questions about his artist Alberto Giacommetti. A conversation ensued; complete with bullet points about the artist Justin was tasked with memorizing.
The students didn’t fail to impress at each artist station in the exhibit. The kindergarteners knew nearly everything — from where the artist lived, what type of art they made and what their family life was like.
Marone’s parents, Soraya and Daniel, said they’ve seen academic improvement happening with their son throughout the year and the project.
"With Makowski, he’s staying more focused and he’s reading a lot of new words in kindergarten. Him and his mom have two-hour conversations now," said his dad, Daniel Marone.
Said Soraya: "I didn’t know he was doing this kind of artwork in class."
Other parents said they saw a real difference watching their kids present.
"He always screamed in front of large crowds," said Tonie Covington of her son Steven, 6, who presented an exhibit by Mark Rothko.
"He doesn’t do that anymore," she said.
"When Steven came to kindergarten he was not at his high point. He was reading at a level four. Now he’s at an eight to 10."
Outside of what parents say about their young artists’ improvement, Makowski said her students are just having fun and that makes it easier for them to grow on their own and for her to teach them to be better.
"They do it on their own. They know what they like and don’t like," she said.
