Eye on Design Exhibition

May 19, 2009

 

Twenty-four public arts proposals created by third-grade students from Dooley Elementary School were unveiled to the public for the first time at Rancho Los Cerritos on May 15.

The proposals, created as part of the Arts Council for Long Beach’s Eye on Design program, showed community members what the students envisioned for the neighborhood surrounding Dooley Elementary, which is located at the intersection of Long Beach and Del Amo boulevards.

During the 20-week program, students learned about neighborhood history, public art and the design process through enrichment activities, field trips and learning opportunities provided by Arts Council teaching artists and community partners. The models on display were the culminating project for the 120 students involved in the program. The colorful models reflected how much students and learned through the program.

Third-grade teacher Karen Hardy said, “They learn new vocabulary, independent thinking skills, drawing hints, team cooperation, and many other skills that sometimes get overlooked in a regular day of a reading first school.  I see them in a new way during these two hours.  They are the leaders, experts, thinkers, and speakers that I dream of them being for me.  During this school year they have gained so much from this program that they will carry with them to their future.  Parents come in my room telling me that when they took their children to the store, they were admiring the architecture of the building or they are taking pride in their neighborhood, now that they have seen it through an artists eyes.  They are the artists now.  I am so proud of them and feel fortunate to be at a site that has this program.”

Prior to the exhibition at the rancho, students presented their proposals to a panelist of arts professionals and community members. The panel selected three finalists, and next year, the Arts Council aspires to transform one of the finalist proposals into reality. A public artist will continue the design process by seeking further community input before designing, fabricating and installing a site-specific public art installation based on the students' conceptual models. The public artist will periodically visit the school to update students on the progress of the public artwork. Mariajose Carnicero, a third-grade teacher at Dooley, said, “It will have a big impact in their lives when they visit the site they beautified and created with their little minds. They will take their families and all of them will share the pride.”

Eye on Design provides a unique opportunity for community members and partners to forge lasting impressions that facilitate student learning and civic responsibility. Although facilitated by the Arts Council for Long Beach, the program's success is grounded in the collective expertise and commitment of a host of hand-selected community partners who work collaboratively with the Arts Council to present a balanced program built on each partners' strengths. The initial concept for Eye on Design was originally conceived through the Arts Council's unique affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and, in particular, through its involvement with the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution.