Kent State University art education students will feature artwork created by elementary and middle school children May 1 in the art building in rooms 212 and 214 as part of the art education practicum.

Maria Iafelice, graduate student in the art education department, said students in the teaching practicum course are responsible for teaching children, ages four to 13, in after school art enrichment classes.

“Working with fellow pre-service teachers, they plan a comprehensive unit of art study and studio mastery for an assigned age group,” Iafelice said. “The lessons follow a primary unit theme set by the instructor for the semester and a secondary theme developed with teammates for each set of required lesson plans.”

Iafelice said each student plans three lessons that engage children to discussion and create art. She said the culminating activity is an art show featuring all the artwork created for family and friends to enjoy.

“Each young child will have artwork on display and are able to come and enjoy the show with their families,” Iafelice said.

Iafelice said art education students design and set up the art show as well, which will take place on May 1 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“The shows can inform non-art education students by showing them all the efforts that the art education students put in to educate youth about art,” Iafelice said. “Furthermore, non-art education students can view artworks that are beautifully made but also personally meaningful and relevant to the young children.”

Contact Joanna Kamvouris at [email protected].