Local Migrant Children Immersed in the Arts

One of the Art Camp activities required students to take off one of their shoes in order to sketch it. Donna Brown teaches the students how to compose their drawings.

The Hardy Gallery recently worked with Gibraltar School’s Migrant Education Program to provide migrant children an opportunity to actively participate in the arts through an Art Camp.

Local artist and camp instructor Donna Brown worked with the students on the fundamentals, including extensive instruction in drawing and painting. They explored different marks learning about contour, gesture and values and how different marks can articulate individual creative expression. They applied those skills in subsequent activities like watercolor painting and learning the color wheel.

The thank-you note the Hardy received from the children only solidifies The Hardy’s mission to make sure these children get the same exposure to art as the rest of their peers. “Thank you very much for teaching me to draw well,” says Michael, one of the students. “My favorite part was when we painted with watercolors. I also liked when we made the color wheel. Thank you, Donna, for teaching me this.”

Another one of the children, six-year-old Selena, says her favorite part of Art Camp was “painting the fireworks and the butterfly,” while seven-year-old Jennifer says she liked “painting the flowers” the most.

“We’re always grateful for the continued opportunity to reach out to these children,” Hardy Executive Director Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead says. “Activities like Art Camp really give them the opportunity to expand their awareness and express themselves in ways they never thought were possible.”