Local artist and Caribou resident, Heather Nuñez, a graduate from the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a bachelor’s degree in art education, made a recent appearance in Fort Kent Head Start classrooms thanks to funding from the Early stARTS program.
Contributed photo
Nuñez prepared the preschool students to create artwork during her visit to the Fort Kent Head Start classroom.
The Early stARTS program provides art awareness and education and is affiliated with the University of Southern Maine. Nuñez and her “artist eyes” engaged students in an interesting and educational activity; the end result was an amazing collection of collages made of simple things the children found around the school yard.
Nuñez began her activity with an introduction to impressionist Vincent Van Gogh. Nuñez read a story called “Vincent’s Colors”, and asked the students to observe the paintings and the colors Van Gogh used. She also talked to the students about Van Gogh’s ability to see things differently through his “artist eyes”. Nuñez asked students to put on their “artist eyes” and look around the classroom at ordinary things that became extraordinary when looked at with greater discretion. Nuñez took the children outside on a parade where they used their “artist eyes” to find leaves, twigs, seeds and other interesting things. The students then returned to the classroom and used the objects they found outside as well as tissue paper and glue to create collages.
Head Start is a program of Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP). ACAP provides the people of Aroostook County with services and programs in the area of health, nutrition, child and family, energy and housing, and employment and training.
Contributed photo
Fort Kent Head Start children explored the art of decoupage during a visit from educator Heather Nuñez.
