Sixth graders Jayda Lynch, Jackson Polley and JJ Rodriguez stand with art teacher Mandy Miller while showing their artwork celebrating Black artists and the Black experience. Behind them, a “quilt” made by Miller’s eighth-grade students highlights artistic and historical Black figures. The art will be featured in an exhibit at West Springfield Public Library through Feb. 28.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Students at the Hampden Charter School of Science Middle School in West Springfield are learning how art can connect them to others — those who see it now and those who lived long ago.
In honor of Black History Month, throughout the month of February, the West Springfield Public Library is exhibiting artwork created by Hampden Charter students who explored Black history and culture and how it is expressed through fiber art.
“I tried to bring as much representation to our classroom as possible,” said art teacher Mandy Miller. The artists about which Miller taught her students came from a variety of backgrounds and were diverse in gender and ethnicity.
The art lessons brought in history and other academic disciplines. Miller said, “As much as art is its own standalone thing, it’s not just about drawing. It’s about expressing themselves and the things they love.” She said math can be expressed through art just as easily as history.
Throughout January, students in Miller’s sixth grade art class learned about the prevalence of textile art in Black culture and Black history, both on the African continent and among the African diaspora in America. She taught them about the way the designs of quilt squares are said to have been coded to signal people traveling north along the Underground Railroad. Whether that is factual or legend, fabric art has become a part of modern Black culture, she said.
All three students said they enjoyed learning how history was literally woven into the art. “It was really interesting to see how they told stories when they didn’t have much to tell stories with,” Jackson Polley said.
The sixth graders created their own “quilt squares” using fabric and canvas as part of the lessons.
Jayda Lynch said, “Since I’m Black myself, learning about it made me feel like I could learn more about my ancestors.” In Lynch’s quilt square, she overlaid dark blue fabric onto a canvas on which she had painted a ship on a purple background. She explained what the colors meant to her — a purple storm, blue for the “boat of freedom.” She said she had learned that art can mean different things to different people. Those who see her work in the exhibit might not understand the meaning she gave to it, but they would feel emotions behind it.
The class also participated in a contest in which they selected one of seven Black women artists and either created a portrait of them or a piece of art that represented their style.
Polley’s entry into the contest used inspiration from two separate photos of artist Clementine Hunter and created a cartoon portrait. He said her art style was the closest to his own. Meanwhile, JJ Rodriguez made a collage with circles of color overlaid onto an image of artist Alma Thomas, reminiscent of the way she used colorful concentric circles in her art.
For Lynch, Miller’s class encouraged an interest in art. “I didn’t know art like this could be this deep,” she said.
The art from the quilt squares lesson and the three contest winners, including Polley and Rodriguez, is included in the exhibit at West Springfield Public Library. Another piece of art in the exhibit is a “quilt” made by Miller’s eighth grade students. The “quilt” celebrates Black figures, both modern and historical. Art from the Hampden Charter School of Science High School will also be featured in the exhibit.
Polley said, “I’ve always liked drawing, I honestly never thought I’d be able to put my art out for people to see. This is a very special experience that not many kids our age get to experience.”
Rodriguez was also excited for his art to be exhibited. “I think it’s amazing that people can see art and artists can see what other artists create.” When asked if he thought of himself as an artist, he nodded and, with a smile, said, “Maybe not a great artist yet …”
Middle School Director Robyn Nelson thanked the library for allowing the school to display the students’ art. “Connecting with the community” is part of the school’s mission, she said. Miller agreed that the library had been a “wonderful” partner.
