Grade 7 Students Explore African Influences on the Arts
As part of the MYP arts curriculum, encompassing music, theatre and art, the students in Grade 7 are studying and being influenced by African culture. With a view to understanding African culture here in Atlanta, they visited Hammonds House, an art gallery that collects work of the African diaspora. Students also visited the Wren's Nest, the home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus tales. These tales were based on reinterpretations of traditional African myths.
The students toured the galleries of Hammonds House with the curator, Kevin Sipp. They discussed the installations by artist Rashida Ferdinand, which were on display in the current exhibition. Rashida is an African-American artist based in New Orleans.
Kevin also showed the students original art works by Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden. They will be studying the latter during their visual art course.
The highlight of the tour to the Wren's Nest was the storyteller/actor, Donald. He gave a wonderful rendition of the Uncle Remus tale Brer Rabbit, and then the traditional West African folk tale that this story was based on. The students were able to discuss the works, identify their similarities and ultimately understand the importance of their history. As part of the theatre course, the students will perform a traditional folk tale from Africa. Donald's one-man show will certainly influence their own creativity.
Both venues gave a wonderful insight into how African culture has influenced art works produced here in Atlanta and in the United States.