Superintendent Pam Beaudoin, Essex Elementary Principal Sheila McAdams and Manchester Memorial Principal John Willis share that Grade 3 students from both schools learned about Author and Illustrator Virginia Lee Burton through a partnership with Cape Ann Museum.
Director of Education at Cape Ann Museum Cathy Kelly facilitated hands-on workshops for students as part of this partnership.
Burton, who lived in Gloucester, MA, is known worldwide for her children’s books, including “Katy and the Big Snow,” “The Little House,” and “Mike Mulligan and the Big Shovel.” She was also the founder of Folly Cove Designers, an elite group of artists who made printed fabrics that are now collectible.
Students had the opportunity to create their own print projects as part of the workshops. Hundreds of students from all over Cape Ann are participating in the project; each print made will become a larger piece of art on display at the museum.
“It is so great to have such a vibrant arts culture right in our backyard. We are thankful to partner with groups, such as the Cape Ann Museum, so that our students can learn about our local historical culture in a truly authentic way,” said Principal Willis.
The partnership with Cape Ann Museum is organized by Claudette Yutkins, a District elementary art teacher.
“The Folly Cove/Virginia Lee Burton unit is one of my favorite units to teach,” said Yutkins. “Learning the art of printing by hand using traditional tools the Folly Cove Designers used, seeing the excitement with each student as they pull their first print, and having a connection to local history is what makes this such an amazing learning experience.”
For more information on Virginia Lee Burton or the Cape Ann Museum, click here.
