Original artwork by Mt. Eccles Elementary School students, on display through April 28 at the Copper River Gallery in the Cordova Museum is, well, kind of “ish.”
As in “ish (Creatrilogy)”, by Peter Reynolds, a children’s book that focuses on creative freedom with art, rather than “getting it right.”
Mt. Eccles Elementary School students, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, created the artwork on display based on the book’s theme, “ish”.
Sixth grade students created “Picasso-ish” portraits while the kindergarten class created “Spring-ish” artwork, using water color and tape to create brightly colored images resembling stained glass.
The opening reception was held on Friday, April 6 at the Copper River Gallery in the Cordova Museum.
Families and excited students weaved their way in and out of the gallery, admiring the colorful paintings and drawings.
Fervent students pulled their parents in the direction of their artwork, proudly showing them their pieces hanging in the bright gallery lights.
“It just pops,” Mt. Eccles Principle Gayle Groff said as she looked at the gallery. “Like sunshine when you don’t have any.”
A table of creative and “ish”-themed desserts sat along the back end of the gallery including “zoo-ish” animal crackers and “s’more-ish” cups of mini marshmallows, crackers and chocolate chips. Multi-colored frosted cupcakes were “aurora-ish” and mirrored the blue, pink and green aurora-themed paintings to their left.
“The punch is good-ish!” said first-grader Grace Higgins. “It’s not good-ish, it’s delicious!” she later added with a laugh.
Pieces created by kindergartener Genevieve Nothstine, first-grader Steven Pallas and fifth grader Jheryel Itliong were selected to be displayed at the third annual Alaska’s Heart through Student Art Legislative Reception. The event, sponsored by the Alaska Council of School Administrators, will take place in Juneau.
The Cordova Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Watch “Story Time with Erin” reading “ish” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OReDMjppNII
