"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination."
~ Albert Einstein
~ Albert Einstein
The Power of My Story:
A collaboration with Hull High School, Family Diversity Projects, and artist/poet Zulynette Morales
Sponsored by Teaching Tolerance and Southern Poverty Law CeSponsored by A Teaching Tolerance Educator grant & Southern Poverty Law Center
The Power of My Story was a two part project developed in the 2018-19 school year that served to empower students to investigate their own stories, other’s stories and how each of our stories intersect. The goal of the project was to deepen their connection with self along with their peers and people outside of their communities and to develop a positive view of themselves and others through reading, writing, performing, and creating/interpreting art.
Hull High Art Students participate in Painted
Rain Barrel Raffle
In spring of 2018, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, in conjunction with WaterSmart South Shore, held a painted rain barrel raffle. The NSRWA collaborated with artists and groups on the South Shore for this public art project. The rain barrel for Hull was painted by the Hull High School Introduction to Art I class and was displayed at the Hull Public Library upon being raffled off.
Students in grades 9-12, along with their teacher Mrs. Davis, collaborated on the design of the barrel and took on different jobs in preparation and creation of this piece. The process began with sketching out ideas, brainstorming, and then voting on a final design. The overall theme of the barrel is the five basic elements of nature--Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Pictured on the barrel, are versions of each element with an ode to The Great Wave off Kanagawa representing the Water element. Students had a visit from a member of NSRWA who taught us all about water conservation. Students enjoyed learning about the purpose of a rain barrel and appreciated the opportunity to work on an alternative canvas and use their art to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation in our local communities.
The WaterSmart Program is a partnership with the NSRWA and 10 towns on the South Shore; Aquarion (Hingham and Hull), Duxbury, Hanover, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Scituate and Weymouth, which provides education to school children and adults on water conservation in their homes, businesses and towns. For more information on NSRWA and the WaterSmart Program visit: NSRWA.org.
CHARLIE THE THERAPY DOG VISITS HULL HIGH SCHOOL
In the fall of 2017, students at Hull High School had a visit with a therapy dog named Charlie aka “Chuckles” and his owner/certified dog behaviorist, Nicole Ribeiro. Charlie, who is a German and Australian Shepherd mix, spent most of his time in the art room where he greeted students from the Art, Journalism, and South Shore Educational Collaborative classes. Students in these classes learned about Ribeiro’s background, the role and certification process of a therapy dog, and some had the opportunity to draw Charlie as part of their figure drawing lesson.
A therapy dog is a dog that has specialized training to be of assistance to others and provide comfort to a group. They are different than service dogs, which are trained to provide a specific service to their owner. Therapy dogs are used in a variety of settings such as schools, nursing homes, airports, courts, and hospitals. Charlie has been helping out in a variety of reading programs, by allowing nervous children to read aloud to him. At Hull High, he served as a figure drawing model and provided comfort and smiles to those he encountered throughout the day.
Whether it was drawing Charlie, petting Charlie, or learning about Nicole and Charlie’s work, Overall, students had a great time meeting Charlie, and he boosted everyone's spirits. It was a unique experience that shed light on what it's really like for therapy dogs and what it takes to be one.
A therapy dog is a dog that has specialized training to be of assistance to others and provide comfort to a group. They are different than service dogs, which are trained to provide a specific service to their owner. Therapy dogs are used in a variety of settings such as schools, nursing homes, airports, courts, and hospitals. Charlie has been helping out in a variety of reading programs, by allowing nervous children to read aloud to him. At Hull High, he served as a figure drawing model and provided comfort and smiles to those he encountered throughout the day.
Whether it was drawing Charlie, petting Charlie, or learning about Nicole and Charlie’s work, Overall, students had a great time meeting Charlie, and he boosted everyone's spirits. It was a unique experience that shed light on what it's really like for therapy dogs and what it takes to be one.
Welcome Bryan Collier!
Award-Winning Children's Book Author-Illustrator Visits Hull High School Art classes
Written by Erin Shea Hull High School Class of 2017
On Thursday, April 27, 2017 in thanks to funding from the Hull Academic Support Coalition, Inc., Hull High School welcomed award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Bryan Collier. Collier visited Mrs. Davis’ art classes, and spoke to approximately 100 students and staff members about the importance of pursuing your dreams as well as the hidden complexities of children’s books. Collier received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with honors from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland, and he currently travels around the globe speaking to different classes about his journey.
During his visit, Collier expressed how he did not always know that he wanted to pursue a career in writing, but he loved art. He was an athlete in high school, but when he entered the art room during his freshman year, “something just clicked” for Collier. Collier began painting when he was 15, and he was awarded first place in the Congressional Competition where his artwork was displayed in the Capitol Building. Since then, Bryan Collier has published 32 books, 9 of which have earned Coretta Scott King Awards and 4 have received Caldecott Honors. His first book entitled, Uptown was inspired in part by Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, in which a young boy struggles to return home. Each of Collier’s works feature a running narrative, which means that each book connects to one another in some way.
Collier began his presentations by asking students which was easier to read: picture books, graphic novels, or novels. The classes unanimously decided that picture books were easier. When asked to explain their reasoning, students claimed that there were less words and the words themselves were simpler in nature. However, once Collier began reading from Uptown, students quickly realized that they were reading too fast and were even missing crucial details to the story. Collier proved that while there may be less words, it requires skill and patience to be able to grasp every detail from a children’s book.
Another impressive detail in Collier’s work, is his use of materials. He relies on watercolor and collage to create his pieces. According to the artist, the most expensive part of his process is the watercolor paper itself. He also models each of his fictional characters off of his friends and family, from his nephew to his pastor. He does this not only to create realistic characters, but also to reflect the model’s level of comfort within his characters. Collier believes that by using models who are at ease around one another and himself, their ease translates on the page and into the character. “I just try to get out of the way, and be authentic,” says Collier. Due to this authenticity, Collier is able to stand out amongst other artists in this industry. Despite the differences between he and his colleague’s work, Collier still believes that, “there is a universal place where other artists and myself can go and connect on a new level.”
Collier believes that while dreams may seem daunting, it is our responsibility to pursue them anyways. Even Collier struggled to achieve his dream, because he spent 7 years trying to publish his illustrations. During his presentation, he asked students if they had a dream and what that dream might be. Then he asked students if anyone had ever told them that their dream was too impractical, or that they should change their priorities. Some students said that they hoped to become an actress or an animal communications expert. Collier then added that when we dream, we only really achieve half of that dream, because that other half inspires others and encourages them to pursue their dream.
In regards to achieving your dreams, Collier recommends simply to, “ constantly work.” He recalls his freshman year of high school when one of his teachers told him, “to just keep making art.” He then added that, “nobody knows what they want to do, even after college. You don’t know what barriers you will come across, but you just have to work through it.”
Collier is proof that we often find ourselves well after high school and even college, so remember to surround yourself with the people and the things you love. If you feel lost now, or discouraged, or scared to live your dream, remember that there is always time to take risks and discover. Thank you, Mr. Collier for visiting us here at Hull High School, and for inspiring students and teachers alike to pursue our passions and to make art.
On Thursday, April 27, 2017 in thanks to funding from the Hull Academic Support Coalition, Inc., Hull High School welcomed award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Bryan Collier. Collier visited Mrs. Davis’ art classes, and spoke to approximately 100 students and staff members about the importance of pursuing your dreams as well as the hidden complexities of children’s books. Collier received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with honors from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland, and he currently travels around the globe speaking to different classes about his journey.
During his visit, Collier expressed how he did not always know that he wanted to pursue a career in writing, but he loved art. He was an athlete in high school, but when he entered the art room during his freshman year, “something just clicked” for Collier. Collier began painting when he was 15, and he was awarded first place in the Congressional Competition where his artwork was displayed in the Capitol Building. Since then, Bryan Collier has published 32 books, 9 of which have earned Coretta Scott King Awards and 4 have received Caldecott Honors. His first book entitled, Uptown was inspired in part by Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, in which a young boy struggles to return home. Each of Collier’s works feature a running narrative, which means that each book connects to one another in some way.
Collier began his presentations by asking students which was easier to read: picture books, graphic novels, or novels. The classes unanimously decided that picture books were easier. When asked to explain their reasoning, students claimed that there were less words and the words themselves were simpler in nature. However, once Collier began reading from Uptown, students quickly realized that they were reading too fast and were even missing crucial details to the story. Collier proved that while there may be less words, it requires skill and patience to be able to grasp every detail from a children’s book.
Another impressive detail in Collier’s work, is his use of materials. He relies on watercolor and collage to create his pieces. According to the artist, the most expensive part of his process is the watercolor paper itself. He also models each of his fictional characters off of his friends and family, from his nephew to his pastor. He does this not only to create realistic characters, but also to reflect the model’s level of comfort within his characters. Collier believes that by using models who are at ease around one another and himself, their ease translates on the page and into the character. “I just try to get out of the way, and be authentic,” says Collier. Due to this authenticity, Collier is able to stand out amongst other artists in this industry. Despite the differences between he and his colleague’s work, Collier still believes that, “there is a universal place where other artists and myself can go and connect on a new level.”
Collier believes that while dreams may seem daunting, it is our responsibility to pursue them anyways. Even Collier struggled to achieve his dream, because he spent 7 years trying to publish his illustrations. During his presentation, he asked students if they had a dream and what that dream might be. Then he asked students if anyone had ever told them that their dream was too impractical, or that they should change their priorities. Some students said that they hoped to become an actress or an animal communications expert. Collier then added that when we dream, we only really achieve half of that dream, because that other half inspires others and encourages them to pursue their dream.
In regards to achieving your dreams, Collier recommends simply to, “ constantly work.” He recalls his freshman year of high school when one of his teachers told him, “to just keep making art.” He then added that, “nobody knows what they want to do, even after college. You don’t know what barriers you will come across, but you just have to work through it.”
Collier is proof that we often find ourselves well after high school and even college, so remember to surround yourself with the people and the things you love. If you feel lost now, or discouraged, or scared to live your dream, remember that there is always time to take risks and discover. Thank you, Mr. Collier for visiting us here at Hull High School, and for inspiring students and teachers alike to pursue our passions and to make art.
Hull High School Unites Across the Curriculum for
the 2016 Presidential Elections
Part I: Propaganda Posters For part I of an interdisciplinary unit between the History, English and Art classes, students from grades 9-12 in the Introduction to Art I classes, created propaganda posters for the 2016 presidential elections. Students were asked to research the topics at hand in the election (immigration, healthcare, abortion, economy, human rights, gun control, etc.), and use valid sources to uncover the truth about these issues and the candidate’s positions. Students used websites such as factcheck.org, Politifact and the candidate’s websites to compare information. After completing their research, students chose an issue and created a propaganda poster to promote that candidate’s view on the topic. Students created their mixed media artwork using a variety of materials such as collage, watercolor, and marker. Students then photographed their work and edited the picture using the PicsArt app to add text and more stylized, graphic feel. The end product resulted in two versions of the poster, one hand-crafted and one digitally edited. Students then attached their chosen version to a wooden stick to be displayed outdoors to the public, as real propaganda would. Remember, because these posters are propaganda, they do not always represent the whole truth. Essential Questions and Enduring Understandings: What is propaganda? A mode of communication aimed at influencing the attitude and behavior of a community toward some cause or position. Although propaganda is often used to manipulate human emotions by displaying facts selectively, which can be misleading, it can also be very effective at conveying messages and promoting change. How can artists be activists? Artists can use their work to send important messages about society and create change. How can we uncover the “truth” in politics? Before forming an opinion on a topic, it is important to do your research. Find credible sources that are unbiased and research multiple perspectives. Part II: Illustrated Slam Poetry For part II of the collaborative unit, students in the art classes joined forces with English students to create slam poems based on the themes of America, society, and the election. Boston-based artist/slam poet Neiel Israel visited Hull High School and conducted multiple slam poetry workshops with students. Students then developed one of those poems into a finished piece, swapped it with classmates, and illustrated their each other's work. Additionally, twelve finalists were selected to perform their poem at an all school assembly. Neiel Israel returned as a guest judge, along with other faculty, staff and adminstrators. The winner took home a $320 scholarship and the title of Hull High School's first ever Slam Poetry Champion! |
PROPAGANDA POSTERS:
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2016 WAVES OF CHANGE MURAL
WITH VISITING ARTIST DAVID FICHTER
WITH VISITING ARTIST DAVID FICHTER
2016 Hull High School "Waves of Change" mural.
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On Tuesday, November 17, 2015, thanks to generous funding from the Mass Cultural Council, Hull PTO and Hull Boosters, art students at Hull High School, had their first visit with visiting mural artist David Fichter to begin the planning stages for a mural that was completed in the high school cafeteria during the winter of 2016. The goal of the 10-day residency was for all of the art students in grades 9-12 to work with artist David Fichter to create a large-scale mural (51.5 ft x 9 ft) in the high school cafeteria to beautify the space and celebrate the students’ views on community, diversity, and social change thus promoting understanding and acceptance as a value at Hull High School. After David’s initial visit, students worked with art teacher, Amanda Davis, to create individual themed drawings that David combined to create one cohesive image. David returned in January to complete the mural with the students at Hull High. Painting took place during school time under the guidance of Mrs. Davis and muralist David Fitcher. Students were provided the opportunity to paint after school with a community painting event that was held on Saturday, January 9th. The event was open to all community members. David was invited back in May to attend Hull High School’s Festival of Harmony and Artistry for the official unveiling of the mural. Through this experience, students understood the process of creating a mural through gaining technical skills such as color mixing, working with hues and textures, and how to create a desired contrast. They demonstrated a purposeful use of elements as well as principles of design to convey their message. Overall, students walked away from this experience with an understanding of the benefits of working as a team and building a sense of unity through mural art. "Waves of Change" Press The Patriot Ledger: http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20151210/NEWS/151219049 http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20160115/NEWS/160116926 |
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Vans Custom Culture is a national high school shoe customization contest where schools from all over the United States compete for a chance to win money for their art programs. Registered schools received four pairs of blank Vans sneakers to be customized in four themes: Art, Music, Action Sports and Local Flavor.
Learn more about VANS Custom Culture: http://sites.vans.com/customculture/ |
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Dream @50
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GreeN Gecko Happiest Memory Project
(grades 9-12)
Students at the Green Gecko Project hold up their happiest memory painting.
ART TO CONNECT
“All around, politics and history may divide us, but art unites. Forever will the artist reach into the future and fetch our collective tomorrows. Art knows no borders, it is everywhere we exist, it always was and always will be."
- From: By Art We Live
ART EXCHANGE PROJECT BETWEEN HULL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND GREEN GECKO
ILLUSTRATE YOUR HAPPIEST MEMORY: Hull High School art club members joined up with PHI and TALK participants for this special project. Thirteen members from the HHS clubs and from the Green Gecko Project, set out to choose their happiest memory to illustrate. HHS students felt that focusing on a happy memory would be a positive experience for all. After the artwork was completed, it was then swapped and the students wrote a small paragraph, telling the story of what they thought the artwork/memory is actually about. The original artist then wrote what the memory actually was; and these were revealed after the interpretation was made.
HHS students were so touched by our connection to the Gecko kids that we decided we want to take our project a step further. Green Gecko Project is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations to keep it alive. So, we have decided that we want to support their mission by creating a fundraiser of our own. Our goal is to raise $840. WHY $840 you ask? At $12.00 per pair, $840 dollars would help pay for a pair of shoes for all 70 of the Green Gecko children.
NEW SHOES ARE VERY IMPORTANT!
Wearing a new pair of shoes is about much more than fashion for children in Cambodia. Many kids grow up barefoot, putting them at risk of cuts, scrapes and soil-transmitted diseases. Without shoes, children are also not allowed to go to school. Your generous gift will buy a pair of shoes for a Gecko kid, protecting their growing feet and making sure they step out in style, towards a brighter future! Hull High School raised over $1200 for the Green Gecko Projectl!!!
Learn more about the Green Gecko Project:
http://www.greengeckoproject.org/
“All around, politics and history may divide us, but art unites. Forever will the artist reach into the future and fetch our collective tomorrows. Art knows no borders, it is everywhere we exist, it always was and always will be."
- From: By Art We Live
ART EXCHANGE PROJECT BETWEEN HULL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND GREEN GECKO
ILLUSTRATE YOUR HAPPIEST MEMORY: Hull High School art club members joined up with PHI and TALK participants for this special project. Thirteen members from the HHS clubs and from the Green Gecko Project, set out to choose their happiest memory to illustrate. HHS students felt that focusing on a happy memory would be a positive experience for all. After the artwork was completed, it was then swapped and the students wrote a small paragraph, telling the story of what they thought the artwork/memory is actually about. The original artist then wrote what the memory actually was; and these were revealed after the interpretation was made.
HHS students were so touched by our connection to the Gecko kids that we decided we want to take our project a step further. Green Gecko Project is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations to keep it alive. So, we have decided that we want to support their mission by creating a fundraiser of our own. Our goal is to raise $840. WHY $840 you ask? At $12.00 per pair, $840 dollars would help pay for a pair of shoes for all 70 of the Green Gecko children.
NEW SHOES ARE VERY IMPORTANT!
Wearing a new pair of shoes is about much more than fashion for children in Cambodia. Many kids grow up barefoot, putting them at risk of cuts, scrapes and soil-transmitted diseases. Without shoes, children are also not allowed to go to school. Your generous gift will buy a pair of shoes for a Gecko kid, protecting their growing feet and making sure they step out in style, towards a brighter future! Hull High School raised over $1200 for the Green Gecko Projectl!!!
Learn more about the Green Gecko Project:
http://www.greengeckoproject.org/
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Empty Bowls
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the memory project
This past spring, eight students from Mrs. Davis’s art classes participated in a special project called the Memory Project. Students created portraits for girls ages 17-19 who live in India. These girls have either been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged and have few keepsakes to call their own. The completed portraits have been sent to the Memory Project coordinator in Wisconsin and were hand delivered to the girls in India.
More about the Memory Project:
“The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits for children and teens around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged. Given that kids in such situations tend to have few personal keepsakes, we're aiming to provide them with special memories that capture a piece of their childhood - portable pieces of their personal history. As much as possible, we also want to help the kids see themselves as works of art.
To do this, art students receive photos of kids on our waiting list and then work in any medium to create the portraits (drawing, painting, digital art, collage, etc). Next, we deliver the portraits to the kids as gifts. We also take photos of the kids holding the portraits so the art students can see the delivery in action.
The Memory Project was developed by Ben Schumaker as a graduate student of social work at the University of Wisconsin.
In 2003, while volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala, Ben learned that the kids had few special belongings to represent moments of their childhood. They had very few photos, for example, to serve as memories from their early years. Since Ben had always enjoyed making portraits in school art classes, he had the idea to get art students involved in creating portraits for the kids. The Memory Project was officially born in 2004 and Ben still coordinates it full-time today. To date the project has created nearly 50,000 portraits for kids in 34 countries, and we intend to keep going as long as possible.
We aim to create portraits for children anywhere in the world who have faced substantial hardship and have few personal keepsakes to call their own. The kids who receive our portraits range in age from 0 – 18 years, and every one has a different story.
Many of the children receiving our portraits live in residential children’s homes (a.k.a. “orphanages”), but that doesn’t mean they are literally “orphans.” In fact, most children living in orphanages around the world are not there because both of their parents are deceased. Some have lost one or both parents, but many are there for reasons of abuse, neglect, or simply because one or both parents are living in extreme poverty and not able to adequately feed and care for them.
Considering that every child’s background is unique, we don’t follow specific rules about which kids we involve and which we don’t. Rather, we work with many different nonprofit organizations to create portraits for the children they serve.”
Source: (www.memoryproject.org)
Learn more about the Memory Project:
http://memoryproject.org/
More about the Memory Project:
“The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits for children and teens around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged. Given that kids in such situations tend to have few personal keepsakes, we're aiming to provide them with special memories that capture a piece of their childhood - portable pieces of their personal history. As much as possible, we also want to help the kids see themselves as works of art.
To do this, art students receive photos of kids on our waiting list and then work in any medium to create the portraits (drawing, painting, digital art, collage, etc). Next, we deliver the portraits to the kids as gifts. We also take photos of the kids holding the portraits so the art students can see the delivery in action.
The Memory Project was developed by Ben Schumaker as a graduate student of social work at the University of Wisconsin.
In 2003, while volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala, Ben learned that the kids had few special belongings to represent moments of their childhood. They had very few photos, for example, to serve as memories from their early years. Since Ben had always enjoyed making portraits in school art classes, he had the idea to get art students involved in creating portraits for the kids. The Memory Project was officially born in 2004 and Ben still coordinates it full-time today. To date the project has created nearly 50,000 portraits for kids in 34 countries, and we intend to keep going as long as possible.
We aim to create portraits for children anywhere in the world who have faced substantial hardship and have few personal keepsakes to call their own. The kids who receive our portraits range in age from 0 – 18 years, and every one has a different story.
Many of the children receiving our portraits live in residential children’s homes (a.k.a. “orphanages”), but that doesn’t mean they are literally “orphans.” In fact, most children living in orphanages around the world are not there because both of their parents are deceased. Some have lost one or both parents, but many are there for reasons of abuse, neglect, or simply because one or both parents are living in extreme poverty and not able to adequately feed and care for them.
Considering that every child’s background is unique, we don’t follow specific rules about which kids we involve and which we don’t. Rather, we work with many different nonprofit organizations to create portraits for the children they serve.”
Source: (www.memoryproject.org)
Learn more about the Memory Project:
http://memoryproject.org/
murals with sidewalk sam
On November 15th and 16th, 2010, students from Mrs. Davis's art classes had a unique opportunity to collaborate with visiting artist Sidewalk Sam. After studying murals and the significance of mural art, students worked together during this two day span to create a mural on the wall outside the school library that captured the spirit and essence of what it means to be a student at Hull High School as well as a member of the Hull community. As a result, the mural depicts a variety of different images that tie into our core values as a school community as well as images that tie into the community of Hull. The mural serves as a nice "legacy" to leave behind from current students for future students who enter Hull High School. Sidewalk Sam then returned the following school year to create an ocean themed mural under the awning of the main entrance at Hull High School. When I learned of Sidewalk Sam's passing in January of 2015, I was saddened by the news. On behalf of myself and my students, I feel honored to have worked with such a compassionate human being. We thank you for sharing your passion for the arts and displaying a gentle kindness to all those you meet. I enjoyed creating our murals and learning from your experience and wisdom. Your outlook on life was refreshing. You will be missed by many.
http://hullhighschool.blogspot.com/2011/11/sidewalk-sam-helps-our-art-students.htm
To learn more about Sidewalk Sam's legacy and work visit:
http://sidewalksam.com/
http://hullhighschool.blogspot.com/2011/11/sidewalk-sam-helps-our-art-students.htm
To learn more about Sidewalk Sam's legacy and work visit:
http://sidewalksam.com/
