HALDANE ELEMENTARY STUDENT ART EXHIBIT, FEBRUARY FIRST FRIDAY

ART BY HALDANE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TO BE DISPLAYED IN COLD SPRING BUSINESSES AND PHILIPSTOWN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HUB FOR FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Works of art by Haldane students from the second through the fourth grade will be displayed in the storefronts and interiors of Main Street businesses during February 7–9. In addition, a special art project on civil rights by the fifth-grade class will be exhibited at the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub (5 Stone St.) with a reception from 5:00–7:00 pm.

“It will be something like a ‘find Haldane student art’ scavenger hunt on Main Street, with sculptures, drawings, and mixed-media artwork popping up in the windows and interiors of stores and restaurants. Local businesses support the well-being of the community by collaborating in this project.” —Eliza Starbuck, President of the Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce

The students have been working under the direction of two teachers at Haldane Elementary School: Angela Branco, who teaches art, and Simon Dudar, who teaches science and social studies in the fifth grade. Ms. Branco’s curriculum involves “choice-based work,” focused on getting the students to be excited and self-motivated in projects they create for themselves. Mr. Dudar’s students have spent the past month studying the events that led to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

“I guide the elementary students through processes and mental habits that allow them to decide for themselves what and how they want to create.The kids are engaged in the art room because they’re choosing their own adventure.” —Angela Branco

This year Ms. Branco and Mr. Dudar collaborated on the fifth graders’ study of the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

“Ms. Branco and I wanted to create a project that allowed the students to feel connected to the idea of human rights, and truly feel that their voices can make a difference, while trying to span as many subject areas as possible.” —Simon Dudar

The Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Haldane Arts Alliance are working together to put more student work before the public eye. The Chamber of Commerce believes that exhibiting and collaborating in student art projects is one of the ways that local businesses can contribute to the community.

If your Cold Spring business would like to provide exhibit space, please sign up.