305 Celebration Artwork and More!

Last week may have been a short week, but it was certainly not lacking in creativity.

I started the week with my first graders on Wednesday. I absolutely love their enthusiasm for art. It is truly contagious. Almost every day, when they see me in the hallways, they ask, “Ms. Ibert, do we have art today?” And I patiently smile and say, “Not today, but I’ll see you next Wednesday.” Their excitement reminds me of why I love teaching art.

First Grade Meets Piet Mondrian

This week we talked about Piet Mondrian, a very well-known artist who used primary colors in his work, along with black and white. I was pleasantly surprised that some of the students already knew about him because they take art classes after school. We definitely have some young artists in the making.

We discussed primary colors and the geometric shapes Mondrian often used in his paintings. Then, the students created their own cats in Mondrian’s style. They were so excited to get started and immediately got to work. The classroom was filled with focus, color, and creativity. Each cat was unique, bold, and full of personality.

Project 305: Celebrating Miami

With my Thursday and Friday classes, we worked on a very special project about our city: Miami. We called it “Project 305.”

I explained why the number 305 is associated with our city, and together we explored what makes Miami so unique and full of charm. The students shared wonderful observations. Some talked about the warm weather and beautiful beaches. Others mentioned the traffic. Many recognized iconic places like the lighthouse and the famous lifeguard houses on the beach. Some students brought up the Everglades and typical local wildlife, such as iguanas and alligators.

After our discussion, they began creating their own landscapes inspired by Miami. As always, they did not disappoint. Their drawings were vibrant, colorful, and full of life — just like our city.

Our Principal will personally select some of the best pieces to display on the school bulletin board and to use for the Miami 305 celebration on March 5. We are very excited and proud of their hard work.

A Special Moment at the 40th Watercolor Exhibition

To end the week on a high note,  on Saturday, I had the honor of accompanying Emma to the 40th Watercolor Exhibition, where her artwork was selected to be displayed alongside many beautiful watercolor pieces.

We are all incredibly proud of her. The Principal, some friends, and other teachers came to show their support too. Seeing her work "Nine Lives of a Cat" exhibited was such a special moment for our school community. Emma’s dedication and talent truly shine, and we know she has a bright future ahead as an artist.

Thank you to our students for bringing so much joy and creativity into the art room each week, and thank you to the families who continue to support and encourage their young artists at home. Creativity is alive and thriving in our school.