Jefferson Tigers gathered in the gym last Friday morning for what quickly became a masterpiece of an assembly. As students entered and took their seats with their teams, they spotted someone who looked suspiciously like Bob Ross, calmly painting away at an easel—happy little trees and all.
Adding to the fun, Mr. Beattie appeared so engrossed in a book that he didn’t even look up. With a little help from Ms. Telemchuk, students were soon introduced to the artist and heard a little bit about his painting--the Reader—bringing art, imagination, and storytelling together in a memorable way.
The excitement didn’t stop there. As part of a schoolwide reading challenge, Jefferson students each received a copy of Masterpiece by Elise Broach. Mr. Beattie explained that students are in for several surprises as the reading project continues, including special field trips designed to deepen student understanding of the role museums play in preserving art and history.
Some classes will travel to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, others to Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, and some to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art—giving students firsthand experiences in a variety of museum settings.
What’s next? As Jefferson Tigers finish their books, they will create their own masterpieces to be displayed in a student-curated museum. The exhibit will be hosted by Open Door Venue, giving students the opportunity to see their artwork displayed right here in the community.
Thank you to Open Door Venue for opening the door to creativity and helping turn this schoolwide reading challenge into a true work of art.