Medford Public Schools’ Summer Art Workshop Inspires Social Impact
Medford, MA — The Medford Public Schools recently concluded its Summer Art Workshop, a program that empowered students from grades 1 through 12 to harness their artistic talents in ways that extend beyond the classroom. Sponsored by the Medford Arts Council, the City of Medford Community Fund, and the Cummings Foundation, this workshop provided young artists with the opportunity to explore their creativity while addressing meaningful social issues.
During the week of July 8-12, students from grades 1-3 gathered at Missituk School to work on art projects centered around the themes of kindness, unity, and awareness. One of the young participants, Ella Collins, expressed her excitement about the camp: “The art camp was great because we made the rainbow fish and we colored butterflies. Then we sprayed them and all the colors mixed together!” Ella was so inspired that she was already looking forward to returning next summer.
Maya Berrouet, one of the teaching assistants for the younger students, emphasized the importance of art for young children: “I think every child should explore and learn any form of art. I saw such creativity from each kid that I worked with. They were able to express themselves through their artwork, with every idea they had. Making art was something special to them.”
Simultaneously, at Medford High School, students in grades 9-12 participated in a more advanced program where they created and presented self-directed projects that connected to social issues important to them. One of the high school participants, Karolynne Kedman Paniago, reflected on the experience: “I enjoyed my time there. I was able to focus better on my artwork and immerse myself in the social issue I had chosen. It was a great time.”
Mossamat Habiba spoke about the significance of art for young people: “Art is not just something kids do when they are bored, but it is also something they do when they want to express something. Throughout the week, I’ve seen a lot of kids expressing their feelings and their point of view through their artwork, it really shows their creativity. These kids came up with unique ideas on how they were going to make their own piece of art. These unique pieces of art that the kids created helped me get to know them more.”
Students in grades 4-8 participated in a workshop that combined skill development with open studio time. In the morning, they focused on building foundational artistic skills and techniques. The second half of the day was spent in open studio sessions, where students created projects that reflected issues or topics that were meaningful to them.
This year’s Summer Art Workshop was a resounding success, with students from all age groups exploring their creative potential while making a positive impact on their community. As the program organizer, Mrs. Suzanne Fee, noted, “This camp goes beyond just creating art by empowering kids to use their talent to bring about change in our community.”
The CCSR continues to work on various community projects, empowering students and teaching the importance of collaboration and civic responsibility. To learn more about the CCSR and its initiatives, visit https://ccsrmedford.org or find us on social media at @medfordccsr. The CCSR is funded by grants from the Cummings Foundation, Krystle Campbell Community Betterment Fund, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
