Nearly a thousand pieces of Moline School District elementary students’ artwork ranging from Monet replicas to Native American crafts grace three floors of the 25,000 square foot historic home. For the fourth year running, all thirteen elementary schools in the Moline School District have partnered with Butterworth Center for the “Exhibition of Student Artwork.” Butterworth Center will donate also donate a $100 stipend to each of the thirteen schools, totaling $1300, to help purchase classroom art supplies.
The exhibit is free and open to the public as follows:
April 12 - 19 - Open to public (hours to be announced)
April 20, 2007- Reception for students and familes.
Last year , the art teachers designated one of the rooms with a Mexican/Latin art and culture theme. The teachers had many reasons for focusing on this theme, but the foremost reason is the growing number of Hispanic students in the district.
A giant 10-foot man will surprise visitors as they enter the Mexican/Latin theme room . He is a Mojiganga, a giant sculpture that is traditionally used in parades with folk art roots originating in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. This Mojiganga was created by students at Erricsson Elementary School with visiting artist, Jeanne O’Melia and art teacher Heather Vallejo (see photo below). Ms. O’Melia traveled extensively throughout Central and South America. Ms. O’Melia also instructed students on creating Mayan jade artifacts. Jade, the stone of Kings, was actively traded through the Mayan empire, and was valued as a most precious commodity. Ms. O’Melia’s residency was made possible by agrant from the Illinois Arts Council and LiquiSystems.
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| PICTURED ABOVE: This Mojiganga (center) was created by students at Erricsson Elementary School with visiting artist, Jeanne O’Melia (right) and art teacher Heather Vallejo (left). In addition to the giant Mojiganga and jade artifacts above, the following Mexican/Latin art projects created by students, with instruction from their art teachers, will also be on display: |
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Calaveras
Calaveras, witty images of skeletons performing the rituals and pleasures of everyday life. Printmaking artist Jose Posada is best known for his Calaveras. Dia de los Muertos-oferendas and altars (Day of the Dead Offerings) Artwork memorializing and celebrating the life of a special person that has past.
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Artwork influenced by Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who depicted the indigenous culture of her country in a style combining Realism, Symbolism and Surrealism. She was the wife of Mexican muralist and cubist painter Diego Rivera.
Oaxacan Wood Carvings
Oaxacan woodcarvings range from simple, humorous, and whimsical to exceptionally carved and ornately painted fine pieces of art. Using basic tools, these artists carve fascinating figures out of green, fresh-cut copal wood. After drying, then sanding, the carvings are painted, limited only by each artist’s imagination. In several small villages outside the capital of Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxacan Woodcarvings have been a tradition for generations.
Flying Totonac Indians
The dance of Los Voladores (Flying Totonac Indians) alludes to the sun and calendar. Each flyer represents one of the yearly seasons. They make thirteen turns on the pole, adding up to the fifty-two weeks in the year. In pre-Columbian times it was performed in many regions. Today it only survives among the Totonacs.
To learn more, please contact Angela Hunt at 309-765-7935 or e-mail ahunt@butterworthcenter.com.
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