Second graders at Austin Road Elementary School brought color and creativity to the classroom with self-portraits inspired by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Under the guidance of art teacher Selina Bernat, students completed their portraits and displayed them around the classroom, transforming the space into a student art gallery.
The young artists then took a gallery walk, choosing a classmate’s portrait that caught their eye. They recorded positive feedback about the artwork and wrote questions for the artist, practicing how to respond thoughtfully to one another’s creative choices.
The finished portraits made a vibrant display, but the project also gave students a chance to see themselves and their classmates through an artistic lens while learning to appreciate different perspectives.
