Middle School Adventures with Project 1 // Building Community Through Storytelling

This year our middle schoolers have the unique opportunity to be a part of Project 1 by ArtPrize. Students have been working to research the five world renowned artists, whose thought provoking installations were on display around downtown Grand Rapids. Through their participation in this unique project we were able to explore and investigate the purpose of each installation, up close and personal on our first field study of the year!

Before our exciting charter bus adventure across the state, we began our collaborative Project 1 research at school. Students worked together to observe and identify themes found within each artists biography and body of work found online. After learning each artists story in the classroom we took our knowledge out into the field. Sixth & Seventh graders had the opportunity to go on a day long trip guided by GVSU in Grand Rapids to see each artists’ installation in person! At each stop of our art tour, students were able to ask questions and interact with experts who told the story behind why each piece was created. 

After our guided tour we participated in a hands-on workshop led by Grand Valley State University’s art education students & staff.  Students were asked to work collaboratively to express their own unique sense of community through cardboard sculptures. Students were given the chance to present their sculptures to the room and share their stories about the process. We feel so lucky to be able to learn with Project 1 this year and can’t wait to share what comes next. Later in the year we will share news about our upcoming middle school art show at GVSU this spring…stay tuned!