Thank you....

Saying goodbye to FACA…

Three weeks after turning in my resignation to The Falcon Academy of Creative Arts, words can’t begin to express all that I will miss about this magical place.  To be able to experience all that I have throughout the past two years with the establishment of this school, and educating through an arts based curriculum is extraordinary.  I want to address the following groups of people and offer my sincerest gratitude for all you have done for me personally.  The FACA Board members, The FACA PTA, The Field Local School District, the wonderful families of this community and lastly, the staff and students.  The memories I am left with are unmatched as I believe so strongly in the vision of what takes place within these four walls each day.  The small learning environment complied with the selfless dedication of the teachers and the unique talents and individuality of the students make for a highly creative, engaging and well-rounded atmosphere.  I will continue to support The Falcon Academy of Creative Arts, root for its success, believe in all it sets out to accomplish, and remember it fondly as a place that shaped me, made my life richer and blessed me with many heart-warming moments where children experienced the empowerment that comes with the freedom of creation.  Thank you.  I will never forget….

Please feel free to contact me in my next adventure at my new spot… www.perrypicassos.blogspot.com

OUT WITH A BANG!

Today marks our last day of school this second year at The Falcon Academy of Creative Arts.  I received a gift midway through the year... a dinosaur my students in my after school art club, Picasso's Kids had painted.  Each bone is painted in the likeness of an artist or with color theory in mind.  Because my previous school wanted to find a new home for him I was glad to accept.  I remember how excited my students were when we painted this dino (a donation from one of my friends who taught down the hall at Brimfield Elementary) and a few of those students are here with me at FACA now.  Mrs. Snider had the idea that we should weatherproof the dinosaur and put him on the roof.  That's exactly what we did.  My thoughts on that are... dinosaurs may be dead but the ARTS in schools are not!  Especially this school!

The race to the finish!

The end of the school year is such a hectic time and the art room is no different.  We are busy at every grade level churning out products mostly in three dimensional form.  It is finally time for students to show what they know in terms of the elements and principles of art and it is impressive!  These pieces are more free in form and creative process and I love watching them develop their ideas.  Fifth grade have finalized their paper mache letters portraits and also their plaster masks.  They have even had time to sculpt amazing favorite food sculptures.  Fourth grade went GREEN this week with found object art and third grade showed their paper mache skills with these fabulous insect projects!

Gearing up for Seussical Jr. the musical!

Students in my exploratory arts class have been working hard on all things Seussical for our upcoming musical on May 22nd.  The props and sets were designed by an outside artist, but we are having an amazing time painting!!  Oddly enough I have found myself dreaming of being in Whoville morning, noon and night.  

Art Rocks was a great celebration!

Friday night from 7-9 P.M. was our second annual student art exhibit which showcased the artwork of our students throughout this school year.  There was an overwhelming amount of art spread out throughout our building due to the fact that I displayed everything that every child had made.  The hallways and gymnasium flourished with large scale, small, two dimensional and three dimensional art!  The ceiling contained suspended Dale Chihuly inspired works and outdoors our sidewalks were lined with mosaic garden sculptures to invite our viewers in! The fundraiser of the evening was largely successful as well, as students and parents could purchase a ceramic mug their child had made with a root beer float inside.  Thank you to all who attended and for all of the wonderful comments that were made about the blossoming art program at FACA!

 At the end of the night, my son Grady told me he thought the show was nice too!