Creating an ‘Ogden thing’

Ogden Elementary School incorporated art, music, fun and community at their showcase of talent, “Ogden’s First Annual Artastic Art Gallery,” on March 16.

The second- through fifth-graders displayed their work, which ranged from bird migrations and interpretations to Van Gogh’s “A Starry Night,” to kaleidoscopes using symmetry and watercolor paintings.

Second-graders created paintings based on their observations of the birds that have built their habitats behind the school building. Third-graders made three-dimensional watercolor paintings in layers as their own interpretations of Van Gogh’s painting. Fourth-graders’ kaleidoscopes were made using their names or initials, reflecting 16 lines of symmetry. The fifth-graders’ untitled works were created from a photograph of themselves, printed onto a type of coloring book page, and then used the shapes on their faces to create new art images.

Ogden’s first-ever art show will help to defray the cost associated with its 60th anniversary carnival-themed celebration scheduled for June. The goal is to raise $2,000 to pay for items such as inflatable houses and T-shirts

The idea for the art show came from a PTA meeting with a discussion about fundraisers, said Susette Preziosi, the association’s president. “Parents, teachers and administrators meet often to decide what is an event that not only can be a profitable fundraiser but more importantly showcase the many talents of Ogden children,” she said. “As well we want to bring the entire community together.”

The Ogden students were excited about exhibiting their work. Melody Tavares, a fourth-grader from Valley Stream, liked creating her name kaleidoscope. “I got to look at my name in a whole new way, in shapes,” she said. “I learned in making my kaleidoscope that if I make a mistake, I can recreate it into something new.”

Thomas Finn, Ogden’s art teacher, enjoyed the entire process of putting together the show, from planning to greeting the families and the children attending the event.

“It was a huge undertaking but all worth it,” he said. “The amount of volunteers for this was incredible, from parents, teachers, aides and custodians, everyone came together to make this work.”

Cakes and pastries were available, and basket prizes filled with child and family-friendly items were raffled off at the fundraiser. “I have a feeling we will be doing this again,” Finn said. “It’s an Ogden thing.”