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| Joan Davidow, Director of The Dallas Contemporary (kneeling) talks with Academy students about art. Photo by Brad Flowers. |
Students at our Hill A. Feinberg Academy in Dallas enjoyed a special day out recently when they were invited to share their feelings about contemporary art during a luncheon at The Dallas Contemporary. Before an audience of some 350 art patrons these students -- who recently completed an art appreciation program, “Art Think to Go”-- gave insightful reviews of the works in the current show. “Art Think to Go” is a seven week art program created by The Dallas Contemporary and funded by The Meadows Foundation, which also generously supports Phoenix House. This program is a collaborative effort scheduled throughout the summer and next school year.
Five Academy students chose and spoke about their favorite work: a series of small nails forming a trail covering most of the gallery walls – stretching from floor to ceiling and attached by twine. From the students’ perspective this work paralleled the path of their individual lives – an unpredictable road with varying degrees of attachment, sometimes loosely connected.
“When these kids began to speak from the heart about the impact learning about contemporary art had on them as individuals, a quiet stillness moved through the room,” said Caren McGratty, Director of Development for Phoenix House in Texas. “What these kids took from this work was an identification of this art to their life and an increased appreciation for the process. Staff members at Feinberg Academy and The Dallas Contemporary are excited about this partnership and look forward to the next session.”
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