The Rye Neck School District’s K-5 Fine Arts Show was held at F.E. Bellow May 13-15.
By Janice Llanes Fabry
The Rye Neck School District’s K-5 Fine Arts Show was held at F.E. Bellow May 13-15. Two new art teachers, Dara Goodman and Trisha Appel, assembled one piece of artwork from each student, showcasing different artists and techniques.
“Our goal was for the children to have a full understanding of the visual arts from different cultures, time periods, and master artists,” explained Goodman, who teaches grades K through 5.
Appel, who teaches grades 3 through 8, added, “We also thought it was important that the art show depicts an understanding of the elements of art and the principles of design such as line, color, shape, value, form, movement, and how that can be portrayed visually.”
Both teachers have worked closely this year to create projects that the students have enjoyed and have offered a variety of creative avenues for them to explore. They looked forward to sharing the children’s talents with the entire district.
“Rye Neck is very community-centered. There’s a lot of support for the arts here. The teachers have been welcoming and the parents are really connected and supportive of what we’re doing,” remarked Appel, who spent the last five years teaching art at Valley Central High School.
Goodman came to Rye Neck from the Dobbs Ferry School District, where she taught grades K through 12 for nine years. Before that she taught in the Museum of Modern Art’s Education Department.
“We have a huge support system from our co-workers and administrators,” she said. “There’s really big excitement about art in this district. We’re not teaching crafts. Students are learning fine arts skills and an appreciation for art history.”
A strong collaboration, Goodman and Appel believe in continually building from one project to the next, as well as progressing from grade to grade. By the time they get to middle school, students are intensifying and refining their skills. “By doing so, we can better ensure that students will be able to grasp important concepts and artistic techniques as they move forward in their journeys as artists into middle school and then high school,” noted Appel.
