The peer mediators and a couple of Lynn Ishii’s art students were delighted to participate in a presentation by Bruce Dean, who has been an artist for 40 years and his co-worker. He forms part of the Metafour group, which consists of two long time educators, an artist, and a filmmaker.
Metafour’s purpose is to teach art that deals with social justice issues. He also converts the art to digital forms and archives, for example making a podcast out of the art, having a voiceover, and even making a digital movie.
They are currently working on a project titled “Beyond the Walls” which aims to break the walls between religion, countries, and cultures. The purpose of the project is “to remind people that the most important group that people belong to is the human race,” says Dean.
Dean and his assistant came to Karen Crowley’s room on March 31 and led an activity where the participants had to draw themselves following a step-by-step process. As soon as the peer mediators and art students entered the room, they had a close-up picture taken, and after a short lesson on photography and the drawing elements, the students had to begin their self-portrait.
They commenced by putting graphite on a piece of paper and then taping the students’ printed picture to the paper with the graphite. Then the students started tracing the photo by focusing on the dark areas first and then focusing on the shading, which was essential to the portrait because it gave it depth. Although some students were not able to complete the portrait due to the lack of time some were satisfied with their final product.
Senior Akeem Lainez said, “I thought the event turned out to be an amazing experience that taught students the value of cultural arts. I enjoyed drawing myself and understanding what makes me unique.”
Dean and his co-worker encouraged students to submit their final production to the “Create Peace and Art festival 2011,” which is directed to visual and digital artwork.