Clover Street School Adds Art Masterworks, African Drumming to Artists-in-Residence Program

From Windsor Public Schools:

In spring 2017, students at Clover Street School in Windsor will learn about art masterworks, poetry-out- loud and African drumming and storytelling as part of its innovative Artists-in-Residence program. This rich, educational opportunity is made possible by a $7,080 Arts Learning Grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic Development/Commission on the Arts, donations from The Hoisington/Allstate Insurance Agency and additional funding from the Clover/Poquonock PTO. The Artist-in-Residence program is designed to reinforce and extend the district’s curriculum standards, especially in the areas of literacy and multicultural education.

“We are very fortunate to receive the highly competitive state Arts Learning Grant that, combined with other funding sources, are making it possible for Connecticut Master Teaching Artists to come into our school and work with our students,” explains Lisa Thomas, Clover Street School’s Challenge Resource teacher.

Elizabeth Thomas, a poet, performer and teacher, is the artist-in-residence for all of the fifth-grade classes. The fourth-graders are working with both Thomasina Levy, a musician, songwriter and Connecticut’s state troubadour, 2005/2006, and creative writing educator Leslie Johnson. The third-graders will learn about African culture, storytelling and music, with a special focus on western African countries from Won-Ldy Paye, an internationally renowned storyteller and author from Liberia. As part of this special teaching program, Clover Street School’s fourth-grade students will visit the New Britain Museum of American Art, where they will interpret works of art through their own poems and soundscapes. In addition, fifth-graders and their artist, Elizabeth Thomas, will present a Poetry SLAM event on the evening of April 28, 2017 for the enjoyment of the entire Windsor community.

For more information about Clover Street School’s Artist-in-Residence program, contact Lisa Thomas at (860) 687-2050, ext. 125.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay