Mar Vista Elementary Puts On a Grand Display of Artistic Talent

Editor's note:  Mar Vista Elementary parent Jasmine Jaffe asked fellow parent Melanie Rhalter to speak with the school's art teacher—Ryan Miceli—and write a letter about the school's art museum. Jaffe submitted Rhalter's piece to Mar Vista Patch. It has been slightly edited for length and clarity.

Students, teachers and parents at celebrated their third annual art museum opening on May 26 with a grand display of young, creative talent.

The walls inside the school were transformed into a beautiful and inspiring contemporary art museum with works created and selected by the students themselves: from astonishing birds-eye view architectural sketches of futuristic cities and modern art-influenced portraits hidden in swirls of brilliant color to delicate clay and recycled materials sculptures.

"I'm so proud to be part of a school that has made a home for students to express themselves creatively in a meaningful way," said visual arts instructor Ryan Miceli. "For the past three years this program has grown in sophistication, diversity and inter-curricular connections."

Miceli's K-5 Visual Arts curricula is centered on teaching advanced fine art
techniques, experiencing the process of what it means to make art, exploring
new and interesting methods of creativity and developing observation and
expressive skills.

"...Every student learns how to look at their work, no matter how finished it
is and see its potential," said Micelli. "As the year progresses, they learn about museums and the process of how a work of art goes from an idea to an important
installation in a real museum gallery."

This year a special gallery exhibition was added by students in the fifth grade entitled:  "Moving On: Our Time at Mar Vista." When [the school] won a grant from the California PTA to fund a group art installation, Miceli led optional Sunday visits to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art -- an idea that next year will be fully incorporated as a class field trip.

Miceli taught the fifth graders art methods such as printmaking, landscape painting, sculpture and photography.  Students then worked together to create a group installation commemorating their elementary school years.

Arranged by the students themselves, a classroom was transformed into a multi-dimensional gallery with four circular sculpture tables for visitors to walk around. Surrounding the sculptures were large prints that resembled playful children, exhibits of experimental photography, realistic landscape paintings and a digital display from their LACMA adventures.

"The Art Museum is a model for how the enrichment group's support and passion provide Mar Vista students with unforgettable educational opportunities," said Miceli. "It's so impressive to see how talented young children can be and how a community can work together for one spectacular creative cause."

The art museum will be open through June 10. Interested visitors should sign in at the school's office to receive a visitor's tag.