Posted by Communications staff on 5/10/2021
What’s it like to be a professional artist? We all might have some idea, but we don’t know for sure until we actually meet and speak to one.
Students at Browne Elementary got to do just that last month, and even got the unique opportunity to help create one-of-a-kind artwork.
All this was set in motion at the beginning of 2020, when artist and North Idaho resident Anne Hedin received a grant from Spokane Arts to help bring contemporary art into the lives of elementary students. Anne, a former art teacher, planned to do this by collaborating with 4-6 grade students to create two large-scale canvas art pieces.
Fast forward one year and a pandemic later, Anne and the students at Browne finally got to bring their art project to fruition.
“My wish for these young artists is to know there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to art,” said Anne.
For Anne, being an artist is more than sitting in front of a canvas and painting the first thing that comes to mind. It’s about opening yourself to the artistic process and finding value in all of your ideas – because you never know what fruit they might yield.
To help get the creative juices flowing, Anne spent a day teaching the students about Spanish artist Joan Miró, whose most famous works employ common shapes and primary colors.
"Figure, Dog, Birds" by Joan Miró, 1946. Photo courtesy of guggenheim.org
“Miró was the first artist who inspired me to draw and paint,” Anne said, “He uses a lot of shapes, so his art is easy for students to grasp and understand – it’s not too intimidating!”
Anne then had the students draft a pencil drawing inspired by Miró’s use of simple shapes, and after providing some artistic feedback, she had the kids draw their drawing on a large pre-painted canvas.
Once each student added their individual flair to the canvas, Anne spent the next couple weeks adding pops of color and readying the canvas for display. The two canvas made their world debuts at the Wonder Building downtown. Anne was thrilled by how they turned out.
“They are so whimsical and have so much energy! I can say with certainty there is no artwork out there like it.”
Some Browne students Anne worked with even brought their families to show off their drawings.
“The beauty of these canvases is each student gets a piece that’s entirely theirs,” said Anne.
Anne will bring the canvas to art shows and workshops around the region with the goal of selling them. As an artist, she says there’s nothing like selling your first work of art, and she can’t wait for the students at Browne to experience that same joy.
“Proceeds of the sale will be split into thirds,” Anne said, “One third will go to the Wonder Building, one third to me, and one third to Browne Elementary so they can buy art supplies.”
The students also helped create smaller paintings that will be in the library for kids to check out and take home like library books.
Learn more about Anne’s SAGA grant here.
