Valley Stream 24 Sixth-Grade Students Take Inspiring Trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art

Sixth grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program recently embarked on an enriching field trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, where they explored and analyzed a wide array of art, culture, and history.

Guided by Challenge Program Teacher Amanda Plutner and Art teachers supporting enrichment, students toured several captivating exhibitions that deepened their understanding of artistic expression and historical influence.

One exhibition, At Play, highlights artists’ enduring fascination with entertainment in all its forms. Students examined works spanning from the nineteenth century Belle Époque to the modern day, featuring renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann. The exhibition offered a dynamic range of perspectives, from vivid portrayals of leisure activities to striking portraits of the personalities who shaped popular culture.

Students also explored an exhibition dedicated to Louis Comfort Tiffany, one of America’s most celebrated artists. Renowned for transforming the decorative arts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Tiffany revolutionized stained glass design through his innovative use of color and craftsmanship. His pioneering ability to “paint” with glass redefined an art form that had remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Another highlight of the visit was May We All Grow Up to Be Children, an immersive exhibit inspired by The Boy and the Boy King, an International Book Award Finalist for Children’s Literature. The exhibition, located in Gallery 5, featured 26 imaginative works by George H. Lewis, co-created with A.D. Lubow, encouraging students to reflect on imagination, growth, and creativity.

The visit aligned closely with the Challenge program’s focus on critical thinking and creativity. Students were encouraged to analyze artistic choices, interpret meaning, and make connections between art, history, and self-expression.

This spring, Challenge Program students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic talents at the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Olympics of the Visual Arts, continuing their exploration of art and innovation beyond the classroom.

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