Kelly’s Korner: Lower School Art Show

From the desk of Lower School Director Kelly Banik

Lower School Art Show

The month of May brings many special events in Lower School including spring concerts, Fun Days, and an art show. One aspect of our Lower School art show that is unique and distinctly MFS is our community art pieces. Under the guidance of Art Teacher Tara Wosiski, students as young as preschool work with students through fifth grade to cooperatively create community works of art that are rooted in Quaker values. These masterpieces afford students the opportunity to work together towards a common goal and to be a part of something bigger than their individual works. Through community art, the potential that exists in our student body to be creative and to find a voice to express their collective desires, concerns, and intentions is nurtured. For example, a large-scale weaving from a few years ago required students to meditate on a wish they had for the world and an action they could take to set it in motion. Students wrote down their wish and action, and then they thought about it as they wove with the fabric. The final project was partnered with a display of each child’s name and his/her wish and action to make the world a better place. These large-scale group installations have been in existence for over eight years. The community pieces of the Lower School Art Show are on display in Stokes Hall Lobby for two weeks every May.

Kelly Banik has served as the Lower School Director at Moorestown Friends School since 2005 and oversees Preschool – Grade 4. In addition to her administrative work, Kelly has taught at the elementary, middle, undergraduate, and graduate levels. For over 20 years she has worked with educators on topics including curriculum design/mapping, instructional methods, classroom management, and professional growth. She has completed all coursework for a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, has an M.A. in Cognition and Instruction from the University of Delaware, and has a B.A. from Drew University. For more information, see her bio here.