Art for a Cause

School Founder Colonel Francis Wayland Parker believed, “The needs of society should determine the work of the school.” Today’s faculty strives to include this belief in its work every single day, from the climate research older science students learn to the identity work in the youngest grades. Visual Arts teacher Caroline Gardner decided to incorporate this motto in her Middle School lesson on digital art and focused on members of society who are often quite vulnerable.

In 6th grade, Gardner’s students learned digital painting in the Art Rage iPad app. To practice these newfound skills, they “adopted” a pet in need at a local shelter and created a piece of artwork to bring awareness to the pets that need homes in the community.

As Parker pushes forward to produce students who think and act with empathy and connect reflection with action, these types of lessons reaffirm the value and veracity of our shared goal.

The pets featured in the student art are all available at Pawschicago.org.