Bowling Green Students Learn About Glass Art
Bowling Green, Ky. – Students at Cumberland Trace Elementary had the chance to explore the world of glass art with a special visitor in their art classes this past week. The guest was Kim Soule, an artist from the Arts for All Kentucky program, who introduced the students to the internationally recognized artist, Dale Chihuly. This opportunity was part of the program’s mission to make art accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities.
Chihuly’s Inspiring Story
Chihuly is famous for his stunning glass-blown creations, but he is also known for wearing an eye patch. Soule noted that this detail sparked conversations about disabilities and how art can be inclusive. “He’s well known throughout the world and the students are just mesmerized that he has an eye patch,” Soule explained. “We talk about how that eye patch could qualify as a disability. Since Arts for All is an organization that wants to include everyone, that’s so important to us.”
Funding for the Initiative
The visit was made possible through an Inclusion Award from Arts for All Kentucky, aimed at providing artistic opportunities to children with diverse needs. The program is funded by the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kennedy Center for the Arts. Support from this initiative allows artists to visit schools across the state, sharing their skills in various art forms, including music and dance.
Collaborating for Creativity
Soule worked closely with Lisa Kelton, a part-time art teacher at Cumberland Trace, to secure funding and plan the project. “You can look online at Arts for All Kentucky and fill out an application to have an artist come to your school,” Soule said. Kelton remarked, “Miss Kelton and I have worked together previously with one of these grants, and we wrote one for this year for this project.”
The Art Project
After receiving grant approval, the teachers started gathering supplies for their project. Kelton mentioned that one student brought in a backpack filled with art materials. They counted a total of 17 items. “A lot of kids feel like I have a part. I am part of this whole project,” Kelton noted.
Soule mentioned her experience making smaller versions of Chihuly’s chandelier work but challenged herself to create a larger piece this time. She searched online for guidance and found that other educators had made chandeliers using hula hoops and chicken wire. “So that’s how we’re going to do it,” said Soule.
Creating Masterpieces
Students learned about Chihuly’s work and then got hands-on experience creating their own art. They used plastic bottles and markers to mimic the look of blown glass. Third grader Rebekah Frazier shared, “We cut it out and colored it so it would look like real blown glass.”
Future Home of the Chandelier
Once the chandelier is completed, it will be assembled and suspended from the ceiling of the school library. Kelton expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “It’s going to be a wonderful thing in our library for everyone to enjoy and that’s the most exciting part for me.”
This collaboration not only empowers students to express their creativity but also builds a sense of community and understanding of art’s role in inclusivity. The project is a perfect example of how art can bridge gaps and inspire young minds.
