On Friday evening January 13 over 100 people, including students, parents and area fans of poetry attended a fourth grade poetry reading at the Academy Art Museum. The standing-room only event allowed students to showcase their writing talents before an appreciative audience.

The Museum’s ArtReach Coordinator, Constance Del Nero, worked with students beforehand when students took field trips to visit the Museum’s Kertesz: On Reading exhibition. During their field trips, students looked closely at Kertesz’ evocative black and white photographs, noticing small details and appreciating subtleties. The students brainstormed and wrote their first drafts in the Museum galleries with Kertesz’ originals close at hand. Back at school, they fine-tuned their poems with their teachers, Melissa Billings, Joanna Cain, Amy Fitzhugh, Amy Kellum, Kristin Stiles, Krystle Taylor, Tracey Talbott and Allison Tipton from Easton Elementary Moton.

Students who chose not to read at the event had their poems displayed on presentation boards in the Museum’s atrium during the event. Given the success of the evening, Del Nero and the fourth grade team hope to make the poetry reading an annual event.

CUTLINES:
In photo above: Pictured is Easton Elementary Moton 4th grader Ashley Gullien-Gallegos of Easton reading her poem at the recent Academy Art Museum 4th Grade Poetry Night.

In photo: Pictured are students, parents, teachers, and area fans of poetry who attended the Academy Art Museum 4th Grade Poetry Night.

POEM:
August Day
By: Mason Reeley

The day at the water
Perching on a ledge, calm waters swaying back and forth
Boats slicing the water, sun reflecting off the water
People walking by, whispering to each other
Tall buildings keep me cool
What a good day to be at the water.