'Meet the Artist' Brings Art History to the Classroom

Over 1,000 students in grades K-2 in the Milton Public Schools have had the opportunity to participate in a parent-run art docent program this school year. Thanks to increased volunteer interest and a grant from the Milton Foundation for Education, the program is expanding to more classrooms and students.

Milton parents Emily McElhinney and Jess Gillooly developed the “Meet the Artists” program last year as a way to weave art, history and reading into one lesson.

Since its launch this fall, the “Meet the Artists” program has brought dozens of volunteers into 46 classes across the district with more growth expected.

The program trains volunteers, some of which have a strong art background, others who have none, and sends them into classrooms. In the first and second grade levels the instructor works with half the class, while the other students work on a different lesson; then the groups switch for the 30-minute classes.

At the kindergarten level, the volunteer works with the classroom teacher for lessons that range from 35 to 50 minutes.

The frequency of the lessons depends on the classroom teacher and the volunteer, but the program covers the work of six artists.

 McElhinney, who has a background in art and reading education, said the sessions are built like a reading lesson.

For each class, the instructor reads a story about an artist. The students then review a print from the artist. The print review allows the students to discuss how the art makes them feel and what they see. They also discuss the connection between the print and the story before considering bigger questions about the artist and the artwork.

This discussion gives deeper meaning for the students.

“They learn to read art like a verbal text,” McElhinney said.

The lesson ends with a simple visual project, like a drawing or a collage, using household media to keep costs down.

“It's amazing to see and hear students talking fluently about the lives of artists and different works and styles of art,” said McElhinney.

The $500 MFE grant, which was recently announced, will go toward more books and prints.

While the program grew around the same time parents in Milton the number of hours elementary students were studying art, the art docent program isn’t a replacement for art instruction said McElhinney.

“This is a supplement to any good visual art program,” McElhinney said of the art docent classes. She added that “Meet the Artists” is more of a history and biography lesson than an art class.

“Meet the Artists” has gone from an idea last spring to a growing program that has already held well-attended training sessions for this semester. McElhinney credits the MFE, the parents and the leadership and the Milton Public Schools for making this program so successful in such a short period of time.

“Really, without the unwavering support of the superintendent and all four principals, this wouldn't have been able to take off at all, let alone this quickly,” said McElhinney.

The photos at right were supplied by Janet Gilmore a "Meet the Artists" volunteer instructor who worked with the first group of kindergarten students.