Residency Highlights

Art Residencies are designed to meet the needs of each individual school and student population.

da Vinci Arts Middle School

Family Migration Stories – A school-wide program for 6th-8th graders

Students learned how to create narrative imagery inspired by their family migration stories. Narrative images combined reproductions of their family photographs with painting, drawing and collage materials (such as maps and memorabilia). Their written family migration stories were based on the oral history interviews students conducted with their families. Emphasis was on developing visual art and writing skills through deepening their understanding of family stories. Students also explored the ways in which personal history helps bring to life the rich history and the diverse cultures of the United States. In addition, students had the chance to learn more about their family’s country of origin for those that immigrated to the United States within the last few generations. Completed art and stories were on display during a school-wide exhibit for families, students and faculty.

Portland Jewish Academy

Family Migration Stories – 5th grade

Students learned how to combine writing, reproductions of their family photographs and painting illustrations to explore their family’s stories, traditions and culture. Lisa collaborated with Harriet Wingard, the 5th grade teacher, to design the curriculum to support and compliment the Living Museum Project. The students heirloom art images and stories were exhibited at a gala event at the Oregon Jewish Museum. Each year the gala event is attended by students, families, PJA staff and museum faculty. Lisa was an artist-in-residency at Portland Jewish Academy for five years and helped to establish this annual student art exhibit, which is on display each spring for community viewing following the opening gala event.

Portland Jewish Academy

Celebrating Portland Jewish Academy’s 50th Anniversary – School-wide program for 2nd-7th graders

In this school-wide project students used writing and art to explore the core values of study, respect, responsibility, community, appreciation and Jewish identity, which are central to the school’s educational philosophy. Emphasis was on helping develop students’ art and writing skills as a way to communicate their ideas, express their values and reflect on their experiences as students at Portland Jewish Academy. The finished art pieces created by the students honor the core values of the school and its 50 years of service, and are proudly displayed at the entrance to the school welcoming all who enter.

Nellie Muir Elementary School

Celebrating Family Role Models – 4th grade

In this bi-lingual classroom students learned how to combine narrative imagery with writing to create a portrait of an adult in their family that they admire. Students created multimedia images combining drawing with their family photographs and writing about the person they chose. Emphasis was on developing visual art and writing skills through exploring positive family role models. Students had the option to write their stories in English and/or Spanish.

Oregon College of Art and Craft

Illustrated Family History Books – Youth Program for elementary school students

Students learned to create their own illustrated family history books. They combined creative writing, reproductions of their family photographs and painting illustrations to explore their family’s stories, traditions and culture. Each student conducted an interview of a family member and then learned how to incorporate the material from their interview into their book. They also learned basic book binding techniques. The students’ completed books were on display in the Youth Book Arts Exhibition, which was attended by family members and fellow students at the end of the program.