Retablos Art Exhibit

The 1st period Advanced 8th Graders spent most of 2nd quarter working on "Retablos." 

This was an art piece made in honor or memory of someone special. 

Originally "Retablos" in Mexico were devotional paintings created to offer thanks to a particular saint.  These art pieces were then placed on a home or church.  "Retablo" means behind the altar.   Cabinet doors were donated and transformed into these meaningful pieces of art.  They were adorned with pictures, stories, memorial poems, hand prints, and special memories.

Friday, February 8, 2013 the art room was cleaned out for a sweet and simple reception honoring these people.  Family members surprised artists.  Family came in from out of town.  And fathers and daughters sneaked in for a quick view.  Tears were shed.  It was sweet.  Two years ago, marked the funeral of one grandfather that was honored.  With tear-filled eyes his wife and daughters smiled over how his granddaughter so perfectly captured his life. 

One student sweetly honored a cousin with down-syndrome.  And, to see this precious boy in person was such a treat.  His family was so appreciative of the gesture of this 8th grader and asked for specific instructions on how to preserve this art piece.

Mom's laughed with their daughters and shared hugs.  Dad's smiled at the descriptive words that were so thoughtfully added to the front, describing him.  A precious and beautiful foster child grinned over the art piece created for her.

  I loved meeting one specific grandmother that I have heard about the past two years.  A grandmother that clearly hung the moon in one gal's sky.  This sweet lady left with two special art pieces created with her in mind.  One, that won a Scholastic Silver Key.

Awards, color, design, vocabulary, aside...these art pieces were created with specific folks in mind.  These art pieces caused some stress, reflection and conversation.  The end result was a a very purposeful memorial of special folks in the life of these 8th graders.