Erica Richard is the Coordinator of School Programs & Teaching Resources at the DAM.
The inaugural year of community showcases in the Martin Building's brand new Wonderscape space continues with this bright and lively exhibition by Denver Public Schools Elementary Artists.
The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Citywide Elementary Art Show is an annual event featuring artists from grade levels ECE to 5th. DPS Citywide Arts Events aim to broaden students’ artistic experiences and share diverse perspectives through community-based partnerships. This showcase celebrates students and their unique artistic voices. Artists are encouraged to think critically and create imaginatively while developing technical and investigative skills in their art making.
The Denver Public Schools Citywide Elementary Art Show is on display through April 27, 2022, in the Wonderscape on the lower level of the Martin Building. Students will be honored at the DAM with a reception on Tuesday, April 12.
The Denver Art Museum is proud to partner with DPS Citywide Art Events to provide students with authentic and inspirational learning experiences outside of the classroom. Making space for student artwork at the DAM is an important way to honor these artists within the larger Colorado artistic community.
Erin Lea-Dougherty, art teacher at Grant Ranch ECE-8 School, says of the experience, "The DPS Citywide Art Show is one opportunity for my students to feel seen, celebrated, and valued. When they learned their art will be at the DAM, their eyes widened with amazement and pride."
This year’s exhibition celebrates student artists from 35 schools across the district with 235 pieces on view. The artist statements that accompany the artworks express the students' ideas, artistic intents, and their creative process. The variety of works range in media from painted skateboard decks to post-it note creations. The variety and creativity continues as artists in this exhibition explore the bounds of artist statements. Browse through the artworks below to hear directly from three students who share their inspirations and present throught-provoking questions for the viewer to participate in.
[This] is an opportunity for my students to feel seen, celebrated, and valued. When they learned their art will be at the DAM, their eyes widened with amazement and pride.
Goodbye by Siena Y., 5th grade, Brown International Academy. "First, light the candle and set out the maple leaves. Next, put in the little girl and her friend. Make sure to thoroughly stir. Add one of the tears. Next, lightly drizzle the mirror casket. Mix these ingredients together and put them in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Finish off with the last whisper of goodbye." —Siena Y.
Representational Portrait in Accordion Book by Paola A., 5th grade, Marra Elementary. "This artwork represents me and the things I am interested in. Can you tell what they are?" —Paola A.
The Roads I've Traveled by Aryeh D., 3rd grade, Inspire Elementary. "I used a skateboard for this project because it helps you to travel to places. I choose the places and landscapes that are on the skateboard because those are the places that our family has been. First there is the coral ocean because once we went to Mexico and our family snorkeled in the ocean. The next scene is the stars and I chose that because when our family went camping we looked at the stars at night time and it looked really cool. The next scene is the mountains and I chose that because our family goes there alot and goes skiing. The last scene is in the city because we used to live right downtown for 5 years and we would always do fun activities. I love it and it looks cool. The register building has its own unique shape." —Aryeh D.


