In celebration of its second year as a national Turnaround Arts School,
Roosevelt School will be holding a silent art auction at the Margaret E. Morton
Government Center on Friday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. Student artwork will be
available for purchase at the event.
The artwork, created by Roosevelt students, includes watercolors, oil
pastel, wax resist, collage and multimedia. A preview of the student
artwork is available on the Roosevelt School website and in the foyer of the
Margaret E. Morton Government Center.
Turnaround Arts is a signature initiative of the President’s Committee on
the Arts and Humanities (PCAH), an advisory committee to the White House on
cultural issues under the leadership of Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle
Obama.
PCAH announced in 2012 the launch of the Turnaround Arts initiative, a new public-private
arts education effort to help turn around low performing schools. Roosevelt
School was chosen as one of eight schools nationwide to be supported and
studied as they take bold steps to narrow the achievement gap and increase
student engagement through art and music education in schools.
Presidentially-appointed artist and PCAH member Chuck Close, who achieved
fame as a photorealist through massive-scale portraits, is paired with the
school and has been mentoring Roosevelt students throughout the Turnaround Arts
initiative.
“We do a lot at Roosevelt School to build confidence and self-esteem and our
students have learned to take great pride in their work,” said Tania Kelley,
Roosevelt School principal.
“It’s the first time I did real art like an artist;” said Naishaly Chacon, a
third grader at Roosevelt School, who said her painting of coffee cups will
give you energy.
For more information, call Alicia Robinson at 203-275-2102.