BC CATE NEWS

Owen Hunter,  Artist in Residence for the BOOK IT! project

Thanks to the efforts of Greg Conlon,  principal of BC Cate Elementary School in the Odessa/Montour School District and a Local Capacity Building Initiative grant through The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes,  students at BC CATE were recently treated to some workshops with visiting artist and illustrator,  Owen Hunter as part of the BOOK ME! project. For BOOK ME!,  students in grades K-2 participated in a four-day artist-in-residency experience culminating in each child producing their own illustrated piece of children's literature.

Goals for the project were to help children 1) improve reading and writing skills; 2) increase exposure to high quality illustrated literature, including works created by themselves and others; 3) increase their knowledge and appreciation of how illustrated literature is created, including the processes and materials used; and 4) increase their academic achievement of the New York State Learning Standards in English Language Arts and The Arts.

Owen conducted a one-hour artist demonstration with each grade level,  introducing them to the world of illustration.  The children gained insights as to how illustrations help to tell a story,  similar to traditional writing.  Owen taught students basic illustration techniques,  linking back to the traits of writing in order to demonstrate the connection between writing and illustrating.  Students also worked with Owen to design and illustrate a unique book cover.  Each book contained a digital image of the child and a short biography similar to a traditional book jacket.  After all the books were finished,  the school hosted a "Meet the Authors" event where students from different classes were paired up.  The students introduced themselves,  gave a short talk about their book's inspiration and development and then read the books to one another.

 BC Cate is also privileged to have Art teacher, Kyle Moser, on staff.  Kyle is a working artist with impressive skills of his own.  Here he poses with some works created by his students. 

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